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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 SEOUL 000359 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR ECON KPAO KS US
SUBJECT: SEOUL - PRESS BULLETIN; March 9, 2009 
 
TOP HEADLINES 
------------- 
 
Chosun Ilbo, All TVs 
Protesters Attack Police Officers 
JoongAng Ilbo, Seoul Shinmun 
President Lee Seeks Stronger Ties with Asian Neighbors 
Dong-a Ilbo 
Dong-a Ilbo Campaign to Promote Mentoring Relationship between 
Lawyers and Students from Low-income Households 
Hankook Ilbo 
Most Students Attending Schools Evaluated as Relatively Less 
Dependent on Private Education Are 
Also Being Privately Tutored in Math 
Hankyoreh Shinmun 
ROKG's Employment Policy Only Produces Part-timers 
 
Segye Ilbo 
Survey Finds Most Universities Lack System 
to Make Their Information Public 
 
 
DOMESTIC DEVELOPMENTS 
--------------------- 
 
Stephen Bosworth, the U.S. Special Representative for North Korea 
Policy, came to Seoul on March 7. He will hold a series of meetings 
with ROKG officials today. Ambassador Bosworth said upon arrival 
that he does not have any plans to visit North Korea on this trip 
but made it clear that the U.S. is reaching out and wants dialogue 
with the North. (Dong-a, Hankyoreh, all TVs, VoiceofPeople) 
 
 
Tension on the Korean Peninsula is expected to escalate further this 
week, as the ROK and the U.S. begin a 12-day large-scale, joint 
military exercise today, despite a series of North Korean threats. 
(All) 
 
 
INTERNATIONAL NEWS 
------------------ 
 
North Korea yesterday held elections for the Supreme People's 
Assembly (SPA), marking what some have described as the third Kim 
Jong-il regime. (All) 
Given that North Korea has made provocations around SPA elections in 
the past, including the launch of a Taepodong-1 missile during the 
1998 elections and the outbreak of the second North Korean nuclear 
crisis during the 2003 elections over the North's suspected highly 
enriched uranium program, attention is being drawn to what the North 
is up to this time around. (Chosun) 
 
 
MEDIA ANALYSIS 
-------------- 
 
-North Korea 
----------- 
 
Most of the ROK media today gave play to March 7 press remarks in 
Seoul by Stephen Bosworth, the U.S. Special Representative for North 
Korea Policy.  Ambassador Bosworth was quoted as saying upon arrival 
in Seoul that he doesn't have any plans to visit North Korea on this 
trip but that the U.S. is reaching out and wants dialogue with the 
North.  The ROK media reported that Ambassador Bosworth will hold a 
series of meetings with ROKG officials today.  Chosun Ilbo's 
editorial noted Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi's March 7 press 
remarks saying, "We have noted that the North Korean side has 
announced it will launch a trial communications satellite.  We hope 
that all parties will do more things that are helpful," and 
commented: "If North Korea ignores such a warning from China, it 
would be difficult for China to dismiss it as if nothing has 
 
SEOUL 00000359  002 OF 005 
 
 
happened.  The U.S. is the country with which the North is insisting 
on normalizing ties, and China is the sole support in the world of 
the North Korean regime.  Will the North continue to ignore these 
unanimous calls by these countries?" 
 
North Korea's March 9 elections for the Supreme People's Assembly 
(SPA) received wide play.  Most of the ROK media described the 
elections as marking "the third Kim Jong-il regime."  Chosun Ilbo, 
in particular, noted that North Korea has made provocations around 
SPA elections, including the launch of a Taepodong-1 missile during 
the 1998 SPA elections and the outbreak of the second North Korean 
nuclear crisis during the 2003 elections over a suspected highly 
enriched uranium program, and headlined its story: "What is North 
Korea Up To This Time Around?"  JoongAng Ilbo's headline read: 
"Attention is Drawn to Whether Kim Jong-il's Third Son, Jong-un, 
will be Among the Newly Elected Lawmakers, a Strong Sign that He is 
Being Groomed to Inherit Power from His Father" 
 
Regarding North Korea's threat against ROK civilian planes flying 
through the North's airspace, JoongAng Ilbo editorialized on 
Saturday (March 7): "It is obvious why North Korea is ratcheting up 
threats this year.  North Korea is attempting to increase insecurity 
on the Korean Peninsula, to cause conflict among ROK people and to 
put pressure on the U.S. to have direct talks that would exclude the 
ROK.  However, the North's leaders must be aware that the North's 
threats and brinkmanship will turn public opinion against the North, 
resulting in doing the country harm." 
 
Dong-a Ilbo's editorial echoed JoongAng's view, arguing: "To 
threaten the safety of civilian flights is a violation of 
international law which will result in international sanctions. 
This visit to Seoul by the U.S. Special Representative for North 
Korea Policy, Stephen Bosworth, should be an opportunity for the two 
allies to share their understanding about the North's nuclear 
programs and increase their collaboration against the North's 
aggression." 
 
 
-Russia-US: Clinton-Lavrov meeting 
--------------------------------- 
 
Most of the ROK media gave straight play to a March 6 meeting in 
Geneva between Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Russian 
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, quoting Secretary Clinton as saying 
after the meeting: "The U.S. wants to reset relations with Russia 
and to make a fresh start." 
 
 
OPINIONS/EDITORIALS 
------------------- 
¶N. Korea Urges Unity Then Threatens Civilian Flights 
(Dong-a Ilbo, March 7, 2009, Page 27) 
 
Labeling the annual Key Resolve/Foal Eagle exercise of the South 
Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command as a drill for an attack, North 
Korea`s Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland 
said, "We cannot ensure the safety of South Korean civilian flights 
crossing our airspace in the East Sea during a joint war drill." 
Pyongyang in essence hinted at a possible attack on civilian flights 
flying over the East Sea, on top of its earlier threat to cross the 
Northern Limit Line in the West Sea. 
 
The exercise aims to ensure South Korea's security in the event of a 
North Korean attack. Pyongyang has blasted the drill all of sudden 
to contain Seoul and communicate only with Washington by increasing 
tension through far-reaching pressure on the South.  The move 
effectively demonstrates yet again the dual face of the Kim Jong Il 
government, which has repeatedly urged cooperation between the 
Korean people. 
 
North Korea, which joined the International Civil Aviation 
Organization in 1977, opened its airspace to international carriers, 
including those of South Korea, in 1998.  The North charges 685 
euros (870 U.S. dollars) per B747 flight when foreign airliners fly 
 
SEOUL 00000359  003 OF 005 
 
 
over its airspace. 
 
Pyongyang is getting increasingly nervous, as Washington shows no 
change in its stance against the North's nuclear program even after 
the inauguration of the Obama Administration.  The North is striving 
to open a channel for bilateral talks with the U.S. by attracting 
Washington's attention. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who 
visited South Korea last month, emphasized the solidity of the South 
Korea-U.S. alliance.  She made it clear that the North's strategy to 
contain the South and talk only with the U.S. will prove futile. 
 
It is time for the North to give up its brinkmanship approach.  To 
threaten the safety of civilian flights is a violation of 
international law that will result in international sanctions. Seoul 
and Washington must increase their policy coordination in times like 
this.  Today's visit by the new U.S. envoy for North Korea, Stephen 
Bosworth, is also an opportunity for the two allies to share their 
understanding about the North's nuclear program and increase their 
collaboration against the North's aggression.  The only way for 
Pyongyang to maintain its regime and survive is to humbly accept 
repeated calls for dialogue from Unification Minister Hyun In-taek 
and President Lee Myung-bak. 
 
* This is a translation provided by the newspaper, and it is 
identical to the Korean version. 
 
¶N. Korea Can't Afford to Ignore U.S. and China 
(Chosun Ilbo, March 9, 2009, Page 31) 
 
Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said in a press conference on 
Saturday, "We have noted that the North Korean side has announced it 
will launch a trial communications satellite.  We express our 
concern about the developments...  We hope that all parties will do 
more things that are helpful."  Yang added that Beijing is aware of 
various countries' responses to North Korea's announcement and that 
it is in their best interest to maintain stability on the Korean 
Peninsula. 
 
On arrival in South Korea on Saturday, Special Representative for 
North Korea Policy Stephen Bosworth said, "We've indicated our 
position to them on the question of the missile launch, or satellite 
launch, or whatever they call it. We think it's very ill-advised." 
 
Ahead of visits to China, Japan and South Korea starting last 
Tuesday, Ambassador Bosworth explained his plans to U.S. President 
Barack Obama.  Ambassador Bosworth's trilateral negotiations will 
serve as the foundations which the Obama Administration will use to 
decide its North Korea policies.  And while being cautious about 
commenting on a possible visit to North Korea and the resumption of 
the six-country nuclear talks, Ambassador Bosworth drew a clear line 
when it came to the missile launch.  China had not made a public 
statement since Feb. 24, when North Korea gave notice of the launch, 
insisting that it was part of its satellite program.  Yet following 
a meeting with Ambassador Bosworth last Wednesday, Beijing asked 
North Korea to halt it, apparently as a result of fine-tuning with 
Washington. 
 
They probably discussed sanctions against North Korea should it 
ignore warnings by neighbors countries and push ahead with its 
long-range missile launch.  The U.S. has pointed out clearly that 
this would be a violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1718, 
which bans all North Korean missile-related programs.  The UN 
resolution blocks the export of military goods and luxury items to 
North Korea.  If it ignores Beijing's warning not to damage 
stability on the Korean Peninsula, then it will be difficult for 
China to brush off the incident as if nothing had happened. 
 
North Korea is stubbornly demanding the establishment of diplomatic 
relations with the U.S., while China is virtually the only country 
on earth that supports the North.  Will North Korea ignore the 
voices of these two countries? 
 
* This is a translation provided by the newspaper, and it is 
identical to the Korean version. 
 
SEOUL 00000359  004 OF 005 
 
 
 
The ROK Should Prepare for Global Industrial Upheaval 
 (JoonAng Ilbo, editorial, March 9, 2009, Page 26) 
 
U.S. President Obama will sign an executive order allowing U.S. 
funding for embryonic stem cell research.  With the financial 
support from the U.S. government, stem cell research will see a 
breakthrough.  Last month, President Obama signed an executive order 
to increase the production of (environment-friendly) "green" cars. 
The aim of the executive order is to toughen regulations on 
emissions and promote the production of electric cars in order to 
seize control over the auto industry again. 
 
Obama's recent moves seem to go beyond (merely creating) policy to 
respond to the current economic crisis.  He is sketching out a new 
plan for the 21st century economy.  While the U.S. government 
provides a bailout package to ailing corporations, it is outlining a 
blueprint to secure a new growth engine through its powerful 
fundamental and state-of-the art technology.  The Obama 
Administration is supporting the green industry (including 
alternative energy) and the bio (tech) industry (including stem cell 
research.)  It is yet uncertain whether these efforts by the U.S. 
will pay off.  However, these moves by the U.S. will immensely 
impact the global industry. 
 
The ROKG should prepare for this global industrial upheaval.  We 
should not focus only on the ongoing economic crisis but turn our 
attention elsewhere.  Last month, the National Bioethics Advisory 
Committee decided to review the proposal for embryonic stem cell 
research.  The Committee should give a green light to the research. 
As long as it conforms to the 'Bioethics & Biosafety Law', the 
earlier the research is resumed, the better it is.    The 'Low 
Carbon, Green Growth' (initiative) espoused by President Lee 
Myung-bak should gain more momentum.  The ROKG should give 
full-fledged support to "future industry" in such as areas as 
alternative energy, carbon nanotubes or stem cell research.  With 
the emergence of the Obama Administration, the global war for the 
new industry has been set off.  Now is the time to invest in the 
next-generation growth engine for our survival. 
 
 
FEATURES 
-------- 
Bosworth to Meet ROK Diplomatic and Security Officials 
(Dong-a Ilbo, March 9, 2009, Page 3) 
 
By Reporter Kim Young-sik 
 
"I want to meet with North Korean officials, even though not right 
now," said Special Representative for North Korea Policy Bosworth. 
He also noted, "The U.S. is reaching out and wants dialogue with the 
North." 
 
Ambassador Bosworth, who arrived in Seoul on March 7, sent a message 
to North Korea that the U.S. wants dialogue with the North. 
However, he was very cautious about his plan to visit North Korea. 
 
Asked what are the preconditions for visiting North Korea, he 
answered, "I do not want to talk about it."  He added, "I do not 
have any plans to travel to North Korea on this trip."  Also, 
regarding the North's threats against ROK civilian airlines, he 
said, "I hope North Korea will withdraw its threats." 
 
The North's preparations for a missile launch and a series of 
incessant military threats seem to have made Ambassador Bosworth 
take a cautious approach.  According to the Kyodo news agency, when 
he met Japanese lawmakers from the ruling and opposition parties on 
March 6, he expressed his hope to travel to North Korea as soon as 
possible. 
 
As North Korea Policy Coordinator William Perry during the Clinton 
Administration did to establish the 'Perry Process', Ambassador 
Bosworth needs to visit North Korea or meet with North Korean 
officials in the near future in order to grasp the North's real 
 
SEOUL 00000359  005 OF 005 
 
 
intentions. 
 
Ambassador Bosworth seems to take the view that if he meets with 
North Korean officials now, the losses will outweigh the benefits. 
If North Korea goes ahead with a missile launch even after his 
meeting with North Korean officials, it would only undermine his 
standing as Special Representative for North Korea Policy. 
 
He is scheduled to meet Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan, Unification 
Minister Hyun In-taek and senior Presidential Secretary for Foreign 
Affairs and Security Kim Sung-hwan.  He will (also) pay a courtesy 
visit to President Lee Myung-bak 
 
Given the situation, the ROKG is giving him an indirect message that 
his future visit to North Korea should differ from the visit by 
former Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs 
Christopher Hill, who failed to meet any North Korean official 
ranking higher than Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye-gwan. 
 
 
 
STEPHENS