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DE RUEHUL #0270/01 0540949
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 230949Z FEB 09
FM AMEMBASSY SEOUL
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3326
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC 8145
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 5365
RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 9217
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 5261
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
RHHMUNA/USCINCPAC HONOLULU HI

UNCLAS SEOUL 000270 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR EAP/PD FOR SWALKER, EAP/P, EAP/K 
STATE PASS USDA ELECTRONICALLY FOR FAX/ITP SCHEIKH 
STATE PASS USTR FOR RCASSIDY 
USDOC FOR 4430/IEP/OPB/EAP/JDONIUS 
TREASURY FOR OASIA/MGREWE 
CINCPAC FOR J-74 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL MARR ECON KS US KPAO KMDR
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION IN SEOUL 
 
Subject: Media Reaction; Seoul 
 
Secretary Clinton's Trip to Asia 
 
"Alliance Reaffirmed" 
 
Right-of-center JoongAng Ilbo editorialized (02/21): "The biggest 
accomplishment of Clinton's visit to the ROK is that she emphasized 
that the ROK and the U.S. could work together on dealing with North 
Korea, despite the recent change of U.S. administration.  Another 
accomplishment is that the ROK and the U.S. jointly sent a strong 
warning to Pyongyang about future provocations that threaten 
regional security.  It is also notable that Clinton and Foreign 
Minister Yu addressed concerns that the U.S. may have actually 
acknowledged that North Korea possesses nuclear weapons.  They said 
it is not acceptable under any circumstances for the North to 
possess a nuclear arsenal, and confirmed that both countries (ROK 
and the U.S.) want denuclearization in a complete and verifiable 
manner through the Six-Party Talks." 
 
 
"Pyongyang Should Not Dare Ignore Clinton's Message" 
 
Conservative Dong-a Ilbo editorialized (02/21): "At the same time, 
the ROK and the U.S. are extending an opportunity to North Korea. 
Secretary Clinton has already expressed willingness to normalize 
U.S.-North Korea ties on the premise that North Korea is prepared to 
abandon its nuclear programs.  Secretary Clinton's announcement of 
Stephen Bosworth as U.S. Envoy to North Korea can be seen as a 
gesture of dialogue.  The ROK Unification Ministry also said 
yesterday, '(We are) willing to meet and talk with North Korea's 
responsible officials anytime, anywhere, on any agenda and in any 
form.'  The choice to preserve the possibility of normalizing 
U.S.-North Korea ties and the possibility of dialogue is up to North 
Korea.  North Korea must face up to the reality and stop playing the 
provocation card." 
 
 
"Clinton: 'Seoul and Washington on the Same Page on North Korean 
Issues'" 
 
Conservative Chosun Ilbo editorialized (02/21): "Secretary Clinton 
demonstrated 'smart power' diplomacy espoused by the Obama 
Administration during her visit to the ROK.  Smart power diplomacy 
is a combination of hard power, such as military force, and the soft 
power of winning the hearts of the other.  This U.S. effort - to 
show that the U.S. is not a 'heavy-handed country'- should not be a 
one-time event but (should) continue broadly." 
 
 
"North Korea Should Heed Warnings from the ROK and the U.S." 
 
Moderate Hankook Ilbo editorialized (02/21): "Secretary Clinton's 
public comments on North Korea's succession may be interpreted as 
the U.S.' call for the country to stop stoking crisis 
internationally with its internal troubles and to come to the 
negotiating table in a responsible manner.  Secretary Clinton, at a 
press conference yesterday said, 'Our goal is to address the North's 
incumbent government and bring the current leadership back to the 
negotiating table at the Six-Party Talks.'  The North should 
rationally accept the world's perception of itself and make a wise 
decision.  It should stop its preparations for a missile launch and 
come to the dialogue table." 
 
 
"A Positive Start for Clinton's Brand of Diplomacy" 
 
Left-leaning Hankyoreh Shinmun editorialized (02/23): "Secretary 
Clinton defined her first overseas trip to Asia as a 'listening 
tour,' indicating that the Obama Administration intends to create a 
new, multi-party cooperative diplomatic order, in which it listens 
to the views of other countries instead of forcing its own.  With 
power emanating from her (political) career, Secretary Clinton 
during this tour was not bound by protocol, but expanded her contact 
with the general public of the host nations.  It was an effort to 
win back the support of foreign nations, which had turned their back 
on the Bush Administration's unilateralism.  As a result, Secretary 
Clinton's diplomacy seems to have gotten off to a positive start for 
now." 
 
 
"Effects of Sino-U.S. Relations" 
 
Right-of-center JoongAng Ilbo editorialized (02/23): "Secretary of 
State Hillary Clinton's visit to China has paved the way for the two 
nations to share their views on forging a new partnership. 
Secretary Clinton clarified her position during the presidential 
election, stressing the importance of her country's relations with 
China.  She emphasized China's role as a responsible stakeholder in 
Asia.  Therefore, the establishment of cooperative Sino-U.S. 
relations may cause a fundamental change in how existing 
international issues, such as the Six-Party Talks, are addressed. 
Against this backdrop, the ROKG should make no mistakes in gaining a 
comprehensive understanding of the changing aspects of Sino-U.S. 
relations, taking our complicated position into consideration." 
 
 
Stephens