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TAGS: KPAO PGOV PREL MARR ECON KS US
SUBJECT: PRESS BULLETIN - January 29, 2009 
 
Opinions/Editorials 
 
¶1. Clean Energy Race Could Leave Korea Behind 
(Chosun Ilbo, January 29, 2009, Page 27) 
 
 
Features 
 
¶2. Secretary Clinton: "The Six-Party Talks Are Essential... 
We Will Also Pursue Direct Contact with North Korea" 
(JoongAng Ilbo, January 29, 2009, Page 17) 
¶3. O'Connor: "Political Leaders Should Respect High Court Rulings" 
(Dong-a Ilbo, January 28, 2009, Front Page) 
¶4. O'Connor: "As a Judge, My Ideology is Neither Liberalism nor 
Conservatism but the Spirit of Defending the Constitution" 
(Dong-a Ilbo, January 28, 2009, Page 4) 
¶5. Preemptive Action Against Possible U.S. Request for "Aid to 
Afghanistan" 
(Chosun Ilbo, January 29, 2009, Page 4) 
 
 
Top Headlines 
 
Chosun Ilbo 
Prosecution Considers Indicting All Protesters Involved in Deadly 
Police-Tenant Standoff at Yongsan 
 
JoongAng Ilbo 
Calls Mounting for Universities to Allow Students 
to Pay Tuition with Credit Cards 
 
Dong-a Ilbo 
ROKG to Sell its Stakes in 18 Companies, 
Including Hynix Semiconductor, to Foreign Investors 
 
Hankook Ilbo 
ROKG's Debt Workout Programs Intended to Help Viable Companies Stay 
Afloat but They are Hurting Companies Instead 
 
Hankyoreh Shinmun 
Yongsan Tragedy Raises Calls for Overhaul of Compensation 
System in Urban Redevelopment Projects 
 
Segye Ilbo 
Consumer Sentiment Improves in Five Months 
 
Seoul Shinmun, All TVs 
Manufacturing Sector in Big Trouble; Number of Jobs in Manufacturing 
Sector Expected to Fall Below Four Million 
 
 
Domestic Developments 
 
¶1. "Preemptive ROKG Action against Possible U.S. Request for Troop 
Deployment to Afghanistan:" The ROKG has decided to beef up its 
civilian-led efforts in Afghanistan to help in the war-torn 
country's reconstruction efforts. This move comes as speculation 
grows that Washington may ask Seoul to send military troops to 
Afghanistan. (Chosun) The ROK's Deputy Foreign Minister Lee 
Young-joon, who visited Afghanistan from Jan. 21 to 24, was quoted 
as saying yesterday: "There have been no requests from the U.S. 
regarding troop deployment to Afghanistan. Seoul is focused on 
further expanding its nonmilitary reconstruction aid to the 
country." (Chosun, JoongAng) 
 
 
International News 
 
¶1. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, in her first press conference 
on Jan. 27 (Washington Time) since taking office last week, said 
that the Six-Party Talks are "essential" to ending North Korea's 
nuclear ambitions, while indicating her willingness to pursue direct 
talks with the North. (JoongAng, Hankook, Hankyoreh, Segye, Seoul) 
 
¶2. However, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, during a Jan. 27 
Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, expressed skepticism about 
the achievements the Six-Party Talks have garnered so far, saying 
that it is still to be seen whether the North is wiling to give up 
its nuclear ambitions entirely. (Dong-a, Hankook, Segye, Seoul) 
 
¶3. According to Radio Free Asia (RFA), New Mexico Governor Bill 
Richardson and former U.S. Ambassador to the ROK Stephen Bosworth 
are being discussed as possible candidates for U.S. Special Envoy on 
North Korea. (JoongAng) 
 
¶4. The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), in a Jan. 28 report, 
estimated that up to 460,000 troops from the ROK and the U.S. would 
be necessary to maintain security and stability in North Korea if 
the communist state collapses. (All) 
 
¶5. North Korean leader Kim Jong-il's first son, Kim Jong-nam, told 
the Japanese press in Beijing on Jan. 27 that he does not think that 
China supports him as his father's successor and that no one can say 
for sure about who could possibly replace his father. (Chosun, 
Hankyoreh, Segye) His remarks may indicate that his chances of being 
named as Kim Jong-il's successor have not yet disappeared. (Chosun) 
 
 
Media Analysis 
 
North Korea 
Most of the ROK media carried a quote from Secretary of State 
Hillary Clinton, who said in her Jan. 27 (Washington Time) first 
press conference since taking office last week: "The Six-Party Talks 
are 'essential' to ending North Korea's nuclear ambitions."  She was 
further quoted as indicating her willingness to pursue direct talks 
with the North, saying: "There have been bilateral meetings within 
the Six-Party Talks. We are going to pursue steps that we think are 
effective." 
 
Most of the ROK media also gave attention to Secretary of Defense 
Robert Gates's remarks during a Jan. 27 Senate Armed Services 
Committee hearing, quoting him as saying: "The Six-Party Talks have 
been critical in producing some forward momentum, especially with 
respect to North Korea's plutonium production, although I don't 
think anyone can claim to be completely satisfied with the results 
so far.  It is still to be seen whether the North is willing to give 
up its nuclear ambitions entirely."  The ROK media viewed this as 
indicating that there are some differences of opinion between the 
two key officials regarding North Korea, even though they agree on 
the need to maintain the Six-Party Talks.  Moderate Seoul Shinmun in 
an editorial urged the Obama Administration not to send confusing 
messages to North Korea, arguing: "What North Korea aims for is to 
create cracks in the relations between the ROK and the U.S. and to 
divide U.S. public opinion.  If the U.S. administration sends 
confusing messages, it will only invite North Korea's 
miscalculations." 
 
The ROK media gave wide attention to a Jan. 28 report by the Council 
on Foreign Relations (CFR), which advises the Obama Administration 
to seek behavioral change from North Korea rather than a sudden 
collapse of the regime.  The report was further quoted as calling 
for close cooperation with the North's neighbors, including China, 
in order to avoid conflict.  Most newspapers carried identical 
headlines reading: "CFR: 'Up to 460,000 Troops Needed to Maintain 
Security and Stability in North Korea if the North Collapses!" 
 
Most of the ROK media continued to give play to press remarks in 
Beijing by North Korean leader Kim Jong-il's first son, Kim 
Jong-nam.  The media quoted the younger Kim as telling Japanese TV 
reporters on Jan. 27 that he does not think that China supports him 
as his father's successor and that no one can say for sure about who 
could possibly replace his father.  Conservative Chosun Ilbo viewed 
 
these remarks as indicting that the younger Kim's chances of being 
named as Kim Jong-il's successor have not yet disappeared. 
 
Afghanistan 
Conservative Chosun Ilbo carried an inside-page report saying that 
the ROKG has decided to beef up its civilian-led efforts in 
Afghanistan to help in the war-torn country's reconstruction 
efforts.  The ROK's Deputy Foreign Minister Lee Young-joon, who 
visited Afghanistan from Jan. 21 to 24, was quoted as telling 
reporters yesterday:  "Seoul is focused on further expanding its 
nonmilitary reconstruction aid to Afghanistan."  Chosun called this 
move "preemptive action" because it comes as speculation grows that 
Washington may ask Seoul to send military troops to Afghanistan.  In 
a related development, Chosun quoted Secretary of Defense Robert 
Gates as saying in written answers to the Jan. 27 Senate Armed 
Services Committee hearing: "There is little doubt that our greatest 
military challenge right now is Afghanistan." 
 
 
Opinions/Editorials 
 
Clean Energy Race Could Leave Korea Behind 
(Chosun Ilbo, January 29, 2009, Page 27) 
 
U.S. President Barack Obama has signed an executive order requiring 
U.S. car makers to increase fuel efficiency, manufacturing 
automobiles that are able to travel more than 15 km per liter of 
gasoline by 2020, compared to the present rate of 8 km per liter. 
Obama also instructed officials to form policies aimed at lowering 
tailpipe emissions by more than 30 percent. 
 
At present, American-made automobiles are far more inefficient than 
Toyota or Honda vehicles, which often run more than 10 km on a 
single liter of gas. U.S. emissions regulations are more lenient 
than those in Europe or Japan.  In 2005, 17 U.S. states, including 
California, toughened regulations by lowering the permissible 
exhaust level to below the federal standard.  But the Bush 
Administration scrapped the regulations, saying they were against 
federal law.  In contrast, the Obama Administration has announced 
its plan to turn the world's largest automobile market into one 
centered on environmentally-friendly vehicles. 
 
Since the 1990s, countries around the world have been racing to 
develop environmentally-friendly vehicles, like hybrid cars, 
hydrogen-powered vehicles and automobiles fuelled by electricity. 
Japan is the world's leading developer of hybrid cars powered by 
gasoline and electricity.  Toyota, the first automaker to begin mass 
production of a hybrid car, Prius, in 1997, has sold 1.5 million 
such vehicles so far, available in 12 variants.  Next year, Toyota 
will be capable of producing 1 million hybrid cars a year and plans 
to expand the concept to all 50 or so of its models.  The Japanese 
automaker is taking things a step further by developing a dream car 
that runs exclusively on solar power. 
 
European automakers, including Daimler Benz, are leading the 
development of so-called "clean diesel cars" equipped with more 
efficient diesel engines that emit less carbon dioxide.  U.S. 
automakers, such as GM and Ford, which are falling behind in the 
development of hybrid cars, have invested in rechargeable electric 
automobiles and hydrogen-powered cars. 
 
In Korea, Hyundai Automotive Group plans to roll out its first 
mass-produced hybrid car, called Avante LPI, in July.  The Korean 
automaker is 12 years behind Toyota, which rolled out its first 
hybrid car back in 1997.  Korea is even more behind when it comes to 
hydrogen vehicles and electric automobiles.  Moreover, the green-car 
industry requires a coordinated system encompassing energy 
producers, electronic component manufacturers and other companies. 
It also requires governmental assistance to help finance, tax, and 
otherwise promote the development and sales of such vehicles.  This 
type of infrastructure is almost nonexistent in Korea. 
 
Industry research firm Global Insight predicts that by 2025, 50 
million hybrid vehicles will be sold annually, accounting for 60 
percent of the global automotive market.  And from 2040 hydrogen 
fuel-cell powered cars will account for 90 percent of the market. 
The U.S. research firm forecasts that conventional gasoline powered 
vehicles will disappear from production lines from around 2035.  If 
Korean automakers fail to develop competitive green cars by then, 
Korean car makers may have to exit the market for good along with 
gasoline powered cars. 
 
* This is a translation provided by the newspaper, and it is 
identical to the Korean version. 
 
 
Features 
 
Secretary Clinton: "The Six-Party Talks Are Essential... We Will 
Also Pursue Direct Contact with North Korea" 
(JoongAng Ilbo, January 29, 2009, Page 17) 
By Washington Correspondent Kim Jung-wook 
 
In her first news briefing, Secretary Clinton said, "We will pursue 
the more effective steps of the two." 
 
On January 27, local time, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton 
stressed the existing framework of the Six-Party Talks regarding 
North Korea policy and hinted at the possibility of actively 
engaging in bilateral talks with the North behind the scenes. 
 
In her first news briefing since taking office as Secretary of 
State, Clinton made clear an intention to continue the Six-Party 
Talks, saying in response to a question about North Korea, "The 
Six-Party Talks are essential.  They've not only been a useful forum 
for the participants to deal with the challenge of North Korea's 
nuclear program, but also the other issues that are part of the 
North Korean agenda." 
 
She added, however, "Within the Six-Party Talks, there have been 
bilateral meetings (between North Korea and the U.S.).  And (among 
the two formats) we are going to pursue steps that we think are 
effective." 
 
Clinton's statements reveal that she understands that the Six-Party 
Talks have the nature of both multilateral and bilateral contacts. 
Under the previous George W. Bush Administration, there were 
separate contacts between North Korea and the U.S. at the Six-Party 
Talks, but the basic format was for the five participating nations 
(the U.S., China, Japan, Russia, and the ROK) to make concerted 
efforts to pressure or persuade North Korea (to give up its nuclear 
ambitions.) 
 
Because the Barack Obama Administration proclaimed that the basic 
principle of foreign relations is "tough and direct diplomacy," it 
has been speculated that Korean Peninsula issues will be resolved 
through bilateral contacts between the North and the U.S.  Clinton's 
remarks seem to have come in this context.  Therefore, in the future 
Six-Party process, North Korea-U.S. contact is expected to be given 
more weight.  What kind of progress will be made at the Six-Party 
Talks depends on how faithfully the U.S. will coordinate its stance 
with other Six-Party members before making contact with North 
Korea. 
 
However, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates said in written answers 
to a House Armed Services Committee hearing, "The Six-Party Talks 
have been critical in producing some forward momentum, especially 
with respect to North Korea's plutonium production, although I don't 
think anyone can claim to be completely satisfied with the results 
so far," adding, "The Six-Party Talks should offer a way to curtail 
and hopefully eliminate (North Korea's)  capacity to produce more 
plutonium or to enrich uranium, and reduce the likelihood of 
proliferation." 
 
 
O'Connor: "Political Leaders Should Respect High Court Rulings" 
(Dong-a Ilbo, January 28, 2009, Front Page) 
 
By Washington Correspondent Ha Tae-won 
 
Interview with O'Connor, the first woman justice to sit on the U.S. 
Supreme Court 
 
Sandra Day O'Connor, the U.S.'s first female Supreme Court Justice, 
had an interview with Dong-a Ilbo on January 22.  She is described 
as a "symbol of living authority at the Department of Justice" due 
to her rulings, which were not swayed by liberalism or 
conservatism. 
 
Former Supreme Court Justice O'Connor said, "An authoritative 
judicial system is the key to democracy," adding, "A culture, where 
political leaders respect and follow high court rulings, should be 
established." 
 
She also noted, "As a judge, my guiding principle is defending the 
Constitution.  No matter what others may say, my philosophy is to 
follow the Constitution." 
 
While introducing her personal history of going through an era when 
sexual discrimination existed, she advised younger women, "If you 
 
take a creative approach toward what you are doing, there is nothing 
you cannot achieve." 
 
O'Connor: "As a Judge, My Philosophy is Neither Liberalism nor 
Conservatism but the Spirit of Defending the Constitution" 
(Dong-a Ilbo, January 28, 2009, Page 4) 
 
By Washington Correspondents Ha Tae-won and Lee Ki-hong 
 
"President Obama's inauguration tore down the 'last barrier against 
African-Americans.' 
 
The authority of a court is not .... 
 
I graduated from law school, but since I was a woman, only a job as 
a secretary was available. 
 
Take challenges creatively with the thought that you can do 
anything." 
 
Former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor looked benevolent 
as well as charismatic when we met her on the fourth floor of the 
U.S. Supreme Court in Washington on the afternoon of January 22. 
Former Supreme Court Justice O'Connor, who even came to the front of 
her office to welcome Dong-a Ilbo reporters warmly, is 79 years old, 
but her voice is still clear, high-pitched and confident.  Born in 
Texas and raised in Arizona, she filled her office with photos of 
nature in the West.  Near her chair was a photo of her and her 
husband John O'Connor.  In January 2006, she voluntarily resigned 
from her life-tenure position as a Supreme Court Justice in order to 
take care of her husband, who is suffering from Alzheimer's 
disease. 
 
Former Supreme Court Justice O'Connor first brought up President 
Obama's inauguration ceremony, which was held two days ago (January 
20).  She said that at a temperature of - 40C, she watched the 
ceremony from the platform at the U.S. Capitol.  She noted, 
"President Obama's inauguration is an event that removed the ground 
for arguing that despite the Emancipation Proclamation in 1862, the 
U.S. has not accepted African-Americans in certain fields.  Although 
it took a long time, it was the moment that tore down the 'last 
barrier' of U.S. society against African-Americans." 
 
The story naturally winds back to her days as a Supreme Court 
Justice. 
 
- Unlike the other eight Supreme Court Justices who were clearly 
divided into liberals and conservatives, you made a ruling which was 
not swayed by ideology, and so, people jokingly said that the U.S. 
Supreme Court was "O'Connor's court."  What did you use as grounds 
for making a decision on controversial issues? 
 
"Before undertaking his or her duties, a Supreme Court Justice takes 
an oath of office: 'I do solemnly swear that I will, to the best of 
my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the 
United States, so help me God.'  This is the best principle that I 
tried to follow when making numerous rulings and decisions 
throughout my life as a judge." 
 
- You also made many politically sensitive rulings, such as when you 
ruled in favor of President George W. Bush in the 2000 Presidential 
Election Florida Recount. 
 
"A U.S. Supreme Court Justice serves for life.  Unless I am 
impeached for disgracing myself as a justice, even the President 
cannot terminate the duties of a Supreme Court Justice.  I am not 
elected to the Supreme Court, and I do not need to be overly 
sensitive to constituency.  It is desirable that the judiciary 
should not intervene in the political sphere.  However, there is an 
exception when a political issue has a part that requires a legal 
judgment.  The Florida Recount was such a case." 
 
- Could you stake out your ideological inclination? 
 
"My doctrine is to make the best judgment to protect the U.S. 
constitutional order and values according to the Constitution and 
the law.  In that process, I was sometimes required to make a 
judgment on sensitive issues, such as affirmative action for 
minorities, and judges may have different opinions.  In every such 
case, I tried to find an answer based on a 'constitutional 
judgment.'" 
 
- What is the biggest obstacle to judicial independence? 
 
"It is the absence of education.  Since schools do not properly 
teach the separation of the three branches or the importance of the 
judiciary, people do not tend to take it seriously when the 
executive or legislative branches infringe upon the authority of the 
judicial branch." 
 
- Participation of Korean women in legal circles is also marvelous. 
As the U.S.'s first female Supreme Court Justice, do you have any 
words for them? 
 
"I want to tell them, 'Think you can do anything.'  However, it has 
the precondition that you need to be creative at work.  You should 
be good, diligent, and creative at work." 
 
And then, she told an anecdote about being discriminated in her 
youth. 
 
"When I graduated from (Stanford) law school, numerous law firms in 
California put up posters at school to hire lawyers, but none of 
them wanted to employ a woman.  Since my friend's father was a 
partner at a famous law firm, I asked him for a job interview. 
However, they asked me, 'Are you good at typing?'  They did not 
guarantee employment, but they wondered if I would be a good 
secretary." 
 
She was at the top when she graduated from the law school, but she 
could not get a job as a lawyer.  But she was not frustrated, and 
instead she worked as a deputy prosecutor without pay at a 
prosecutor's room in a county (equivalent to Korean gun), and opened 
a law office for citizens.  These efforts helped her to join the 
mainstream legal circles. 
 
Former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor said, "At that 
time, the proportion of women in law schools was less than 1%, but 
(now) it has increased to as much as 52%.  It was something 
revolutionary for me to be appointed as the U.S. Supreme Court 
Justice, and also a great personal honor.  I believe this widened 
the window of opportunity for women by showing that a woman can join 
the ranks of high-ranking officials." 
 
- Didn't you have any lingering attachment when you resigned from 
the U.S. Supreme Court? 
 
"I did not hesitate at all.  My husband has sacrificed himself for 
me for more than 50 years, and now he needs me.  Unfortunately, he 
is not in good condition."  She first met her husband in law school, 
and he was recognized as a capable lawyer in law firms in Washington 
and California, until he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 
1990." 
 
- You were expected to attend a seminar marking the 20th anniversary 
of the Constitutional Court of Korea last autumn, but you cancelled 
your trip to Seoul, citing health conditions.   Could you tell me 
what you had wanted to say to the Constitutional Court of Korea in 
the seminar? 
 
"It is crucial for any democracy to have the proper justice system. 
It is a natural right of citizens in a democratic society to see a 
fair and equitable legal order in place.  In this regard, I highly 
value the Korean judiciary's efforts to establish a fair legal 
order." 
 
- Undermining authority of the judiciary has become one of serious 
problems facing Korean society. 
 
"The judiciary's authority is not given overnight.  Judges should 
make fair decisions over a long period of time.  They should suggest 
the legal standards that can be applied equally to every one." 
 
- After you retired from the U.S. Supreme Court, you worked for the 
Iraq Study Group (ISG) and the Commission on Smart Power that 
suggested the direction of diplomatic policy for the next 
administration. 
"I think this is my duty as a public figure.  Our ancestors who had 
advanced into the West recognized the importance of cooperating with 
the neighborhood and taking care of those in need.  I will continue 
to find a way to serve our country and society." 
 
O'Connor Gives an Example of "Tradition Respecting the Judiciary" 
 
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled against racial segregation in schools 
in 1954 
Eisenhower, despite his complaints, helped black students go to a 
school with the help of military forces 
 
Former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor stressed 
several times that an authoritative judicial system is a core 
element of a democracy of any kind. 
 
She said, "Fortunately, all U.S. leaders, excluding the few 
exceptional cases, respected and followed the rulings of the court." 
 She cited the example of former U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower 
who followed the Supreme Court ruling against racial segregation in 
public schools in 1954. 
 
The Brown v. Board of Education case ruled racial segregation in 
public schools unconstitutional.  Former President Eisenhower 
ordered Washington to build a model for racial integration in public 
schools, and presented a civil rights law to Congress in 1957. 
 
But racial separatists in Little Rock, Arkansas, protested the 
ruling and prevented black students from going to a school for white 
students.  The governor protected the protestors by mobilizing the 
army national guard, saying "No black child can enter the school." 
 
In response, the President sent an airborne unit, which had helped 
liberate Europe in the World War II, to the school to confront the 
National Guard and to ensure that black students could enter the 
school.  Former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor said, 
"The President himself might not have liked the decision, but he 
followed the U.S. culture of respecting the Court's decision." 
 
She added, "The authority of a court is not a given.  So a court 
should acquire its own authority through its record of issuing fair 
decisions." 
 
 
Preemptive Action Against Possible U.S. Request for "Aid to 
Afghanistan" 
(Chosun Ilbo, January 29, 2009, Page 4) 
 
By Reporter Im Min-hyuck 
 
ROKG, Expecting Obama to Demand "Troop Redeployment," Decides to 
Expand Its Nonmilitary Aid 
 
With the launch of the Obama Administration, ROK diplomatic 
authorities are looking at the "Afghanistan issue" apprehensively, 
as the issue is certain to emerge soon as a contentious issue 
between the two countries.  As illustrated by Secretary of Defense 
Robert Gates' statement during a Jan. 27 Senate Armed Services 
Committee hearing, "There is little doubt that our greatest military 
challenge right now is Afghanistan," and the Obama Administration is 
certain to ask U.S. allies, including the ROK, to increase their 
contributions to Afghanistan. 
 
The ROKG, under this situation, has decided to take preemptive 
measures, first proposing to expand its "nonmilitary reconstruction" 
aid.  This is because sending troops again to the war-torn country 
will put a considerable political burden on the ROKG, which had to 
withdraw the Dongui (medical) and Dasan (engineering) units from 
Afghanistan when faced with a public outcry caused by the kidnapping 
in 2007 of Korean aid workers by Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan. 
 
The fact that a ROKG fact-finding delegation, led by Deputy Foreign 
Minister Lee Young-joon, visited Afghanistan's capital city of Kabul 
and Bagram - where our 24 Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) 
members are operating - from Jan. 21-23 represents the start of this 
ROKG preemptive strategy.  Deputy Foreign Minister Lee told 
reporters on Jan. 28: "I think Seoul will, in the first place, focus 
on expanding its PRT operations." 
A diplomatic source commented: "This ROKG move will serve multiple 
purposes: It will not only forestall (U.S.) demands for troop 
redeployment but will also create a favorable atmosphere for other 
issues, such as the KORUS FTA, by responding proactively to an issue 
of American concern."  Furthermore, the fact that the fact-finding 
team included officials in charge of U.S. affairs, not those in 
charge of Afghan issues, shows that the ROKG views the Afghan issue 
as a "bilateral issue" between the ROK and the U.S., rather than an 
"international issue." 
 
One of the factors behind the Korean government's movement is that 
the ROK's assistance to Afghanistan is far smaller than that of 
other nations including Japan.  The ROK has provided assistance 
worth 66 million dollars to Afghanistan since 2002, but the 
contributions of Japan, Italy, and Sweden stood at 1.45 billion 
dollars, 400 million dollars, and 260 million dollars, respectively. 
 
 
Despite the government's efforts, many speculate that the U.S. 
government will turn its attention to sending troops to Afghanistan. 
 The U.S. will call on the ROK to send troops to Afghanistan sooner 
or later, given that more military troops are needed in Afghanistan. 
  The number of deaths of multinational forces rose from 12 in 2001 
to 268 in 2008.  A government official said, "There has been a 
growing number of terrorist attacks against civilians, members of 
the UN and the Red Cross, as well as diplomats." 
 
The Korean government has said that the U.S. did not call on the ROK 
to send troops to Afghanistan, and we are not reviewing the option. 
Putting the issue on a negotiating table alone can be a bone of 
contention, so the Korean government has held its tongue on the 
issue. 
 
Nevertheless, a government official said, "The Bush Administration 
understood that we cannot dispatch troops to Afghanistan due to our 
domestic political situation.  But we don't know what stance the 
Obama Administration will take, so we are preparing for all 
possibilities." 
 
 
Stephens 
1