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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 06 SEOUL 000393 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR ECON KPAO KS US
SUBJECT: SEOUL - PRESS BULLETIN; March 13, 2009 
 
TOP HEADLINES 
------------- 
 
Chosun Ilbo, Hankyoreh Shinmun, 
Segye Ilbo, Seoul Shinmun, All TVs 
North Korea to Launch "Satellite" April 4-8 
JoongAng Ilbo 
Monthly Cash Grant of 120,000 to 350,000 Won 
to be Given to 500,000 Lower Income Households 
Dong-a Ilbo 
Taekwang Industrial Chairman Park Yeon-cha, Arrested on Charges of 
Tax Evasion and Bribery, Admits: "I Gave Huge Amounts of Money to 
Several Ruling and Opposition Lawmakers, Including Opposition DP 
Rep. Lee Kwang-jae" 
Hankook Ilbo 
81 Percent of 135 Lawmakers Surveyed 
"Want More Chances of Cross-Voting" 
 
 
DOMESTIC DEVELOPMENTS 
--------------------- 
 
Stanley Colvin, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Education 
and Cultural Exchanges, in a March 12 interview, said that the 
ROK-U.S. WEST (Work, English Study, and Travel) program is for 
Koreans only. Regarding concerns that Korean students might not get 
internship jobs after their English language course is completed in 
the U.S., he said that (the U.S.) will meet the (promised) 
internship period of 12 months. (Dong-a) 
 
 
INTERNATIONAL NEWS 
------------------ 
 
North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency announced 
yesterday that North Korea has notified international organizations 
of its plan to launch an experimental communications satellite, 
"Kwangmyongsong-2," between April 4 and 8. (All) 
 
The North Korean agency also reported that the North recently joined 
international treaties on space exploration, stating: "Our accession 
to such treaties will contribute to promoting international 
confidence and boosting cooperation for space research and satellite 
launches for peaceful purposes." (All) 
 
An ROK Foreign Ministry official confirmed the North Korean move, 
and commented: "North Korea seemed intended to give prior notice 
that the first stage of the projectile will fall into the East Sea 
and the second into the Pacific Ocean." (Chosun) 
 
Unification Minister Hyun In-taek, meanwhile, told the National 
Assembly yesterday: "The North Korean projectile is basically a 
missile, I think. No matter what it is, it is in violation of the UN 
Security Council resolution." (All) 
 
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said after a March 11 meeting in 
Washington with Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi: "We are 
outspoken in our opposition to North Korea's missile launch, and we 
believe that that is a unified position." (Chosun, Dong-a, Hankook, 
Segye) Secretary Clinton also offered to hold missile-related talks 
with North Korea by saying: "We need to have a conversation about 
missiles, and it wasn't in the Six-Party Talks. We would like to see 
it be part of the discussion with North Korea." (Chosun, JoongAng) 
 
 
MEDIA ANALYSIS 
-------------- 
 
-North Korea 
----------- 
 
Most of the ROK newspapers gave above-the-fold front-page play to 
yesterday's announcement by the (North) Korean Central News Agency 
 
SEOUL 00000393  002 OF 006 
 
 
that North Korea has notified international organizations of its 
plan to launch an experimental communications satellite, 
"Kwangmyongsong-2," between April 4 and 8.  The North's official 
news agency was further cited as announcing that the North also 
recently joined international treaties on space exploration, 
stating: "Our accession to such treaties will contribute to 
promoting international confidence and boosting cooperation for 
space research and satellite launches for peaceful purposes." 
 
Chosun Ilbo quoted an ROK Foreign Ministry official as confirming 
the North Korean move while commenting: "North Korea seemed intended 
to give prior notice that the first stage of the projectile will 
fall into the East Sea and the second into the Pacific Ocean." 
 
Unification Minister Hyun In-taek was widely quoted as telling the 
National Assembly yesterday: "The North Korean projectile is 
basically a missile, I think. No matter what it is, it is in 
violation of the UN Security Council resolution." 
 
The ROK media also gave attention to Secretary of State Hillary 
Clinton's remarks after a March 11 meeting in Washington with 
Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, quoting her as saying: "We are 
outspoken in our opposition to North Korea's missile launch, and we 
believe that that is a unified position."  Chosun Ilbo and JoongAng 
Ilbo, in particular, noted that Secretary Clinton offered to hold 
missile-related talks with North Korea by saying:  "We need to have 
a conversation about missiles, and it wasn't in the Six-Party Talks. 
 We would like to see it be part of the discussion with North 
Korea." 
 
Most of the ROK media viewed this North Korean move as designed to 
prevent the U.S. and Japan from intercepting the projectile and to 
avoid international criticism and sanctions by making it clear that 
it is planning to launch a "satellite" for peaceful purposes.  The 
ROK media also observed that the North's launch is apparently timed 
for the opening session of the 12th Supreme People's Assembly (North 
Korea's parliament), and speculated that the North might intend the 
launch to mark the official launch of the "third Kim Jong-il 
regime."  Citing an ROKG official, JoongAng Ilbo, in particular, saw 
the North's push for a rocket launch as the communist state's 
strategic move to develop nuclear weapons.  JoongAng quoted the 
official as saying: "The core of nuclear armament is whether to have 
the know-how to miniaturize a nuclear warhead and the means of 
delivery (long-range missile capability).  The North seems to be 
trying to prove its delivery capability by launching a rocket." 
 
Chosun Ilbo editorialized: "If the international community does 
nothing faced with a rocket launch by North Korea, international 
efforts to deter the spread of weapons of mass destruction will lose 
considerable momentum.  In order to prevent North Korea from 
emerging 'elated' from its missile launch, if the North goes ahead 
with a launch, the international community should make the North pay 
the price." 
 
Hankyoreh Shinmun's editorial stated: "North Korea's emphasis that 
it is planning to launch a 'satellite' seems to be showing the 
North's determination to keep the situation from heading toward a 
catastrophe.  North Korea should convince the international 
community that its satellite launch does not pose a threat.  If the 
North pushes ahead with a satellite launch without dispelling 
international concerns, it will inevitably have a negative influence 
on (the prospects for )resuming the Six-Party Talks." 
 
 
OPINIONS/EDITORIALS 
------------------- 
¶N. Korea Must Be Brought to Book for Missile Launch 
(Chosun Ilbo, March 13, 2009, Page 31) 
 
North Korea has informed the International Civil Aviation 
Organization and the International Maritime Organization that it 
will launch a satellite called "Kwangmyongsong-2 between April 4-8." 
 The unprecedented notice appears designed to quell criticism and 
sanctions from the international community should it push through 
 
SEOUL 00000393  003 OF 006 
 
 
with the missile launch.  In July 2006, when North Korea test-fired 
seven missiles, the UN Security Council ruled that it had threatened 
civilian aircraft and ships by failing to notify relevant agencies 
beforehand. 
 
But the essence of the problem is not whether North Korea gives an 
advance notice.  The carrier rocket "Unha-2," which that will 
supposedly launch the satellite into orbit, is actually no different 
than a ballistic missile.  As a result, a satellite launch is the 
same as test-firing a ballistic missile.  In a resolution in July 
2006, the UN Security Council demanded that North Korea cease all 
activities related to its ballistic missile test program, and it 
used the same expression in October that year, when North Korea 
tested a nuclear device. 
 
On several occasions, the United States has made clear that North 
Korea's satellite launch is a missile activity and violates the UN 
resolution, no matter what the communist country says the rocket is 
for.  But Russia and China have yet to clarify their stance on the 
matter.  In Washington on Wednesday, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary 
Clinton met with China's foreign minister and said the two countries 
agreed to discuss responses should North Korea launch a rocket.  She 
added there are various measures that could be taken, but it is 
unclear what those measures are and whether they will be 
implemented. 
 
If the international community fails to admonish North Korea now, 
future efforts to prevent it from spreading weapons of mass 
destruction will lose credibility.  The stature of the UN and its 
Security Council will also be damaged.  If it fires a missile, North 
Korea must be held accountable so that it will not be able to 
escalate its tirades at the Six-Party Talks. 
 
* This is a translation provided by the newspaper, and it is 
identical to the Korean version. 
Rational Discussion, Not Rash Displays of Power, Needed on Satellite 
Launch 
(Hankyoreh Shinmun, March 13, 2009, Page 23) 
 
North Korea, in relation to its upcoming "satellite launch," 
announced yesterday that it has taken the step of joining a relevant 
international convention and provided information on the satellite 
to an international organization, a different approach from when it 
launched the "Kwangmyongsong-1 satellite" in 1998 without warning, 
leading the international community to see the event as the 
launching of a long-range missile. 
 
One will have to wait until the North launches whatever it launches 
to see what it is.  Even if it is a satellite, it will be hard to 
differentiate it from a long-range missile if it never enters its 
proper orbit.  However, if the projectile does successfully enter 
its orbit, and Pyongyang has indeed taken the necessary preparatory 
actions, it will be hard to enact international sanctions.  The 
United States, Russia and China all used ballistic missile 
technology to successfully get satellites into orbit and it was 
never a problem.  Iran, too, launched a satellite and was never 
confronted with sanctions, even though it is suspected of developing 
nuclear technology.  It does not look like it will be easy to act on 
the view of the United States, South Korea, and Japan, which is that 
it is a violation of a United Nations Security Council resolution no 
matter whether the projectile is a satellite or long-range missile. 
 
Nothing has changed about North Korea's motivation for launching 
whatever it's launching, insofar as it wants to make a show of 
force, increase its leverage in negotiations with the United States, 
and shore up internal unity, since if it successfully launches a 
satellite it demonstrates it has the ability to launch a long-range 
missile.  The reason the North is going to such lengths to explain 
that what it is launching is a satellite, then, would seem to be a 
determination to justify its actions and avoid ruinous controversy. 
 
It would, of course, be most desirable to have the North not go 
through with launching the satellite.  Even if it does launch a 
satellite with the purest of intentions, it will have to make the 
 
SEOUL 00000393  004 OF 006 
 
 
international community believe it is not a threat.  Its attitude so 
far has failed to be convincing to that end.  A case in point would 
be how U.S. North Korea emissary Stephen Bosworth was unable to 
receive an invitation to Pyongyang while on a tour to South Korea, 
China and Japan.  It is wrong to be avoiding talking to the 
Americans at a time when the new administration is exploring a 
profoundly different North Korea policy. 
 
Nothing is new about this stuff of firing maybe a missile and maybe 
a satellite.  The United States and North Korea got very close to 
arriving at an agreement on missiles nine years ago.  Right now, 
Pyongyang needs to be refraining from doing anything that makes the 
situation worse or incites other parties.  If it fires a satellite 
without appeasing the concerns of the international community, it 
will be hurting chances for resumption of the Six-Party Talks.  Rash 
displays of power are not going to turn anything around for North 
Korea.  What it needs is serious discussion with the countries in 
the Six-Party Talks. 
 
* This is a translation provided by the newspaper, and it is 
identical to the Korean version. 
 
 
 
FEATURES 
-------- 
Deputy Assistant Secretary Colvin: "The WEST Program Is Only for 
Koreans... 12 Month-long Internship Period Will Be Filled" 
(Dong-a Ilbo, March 13, 2009, Page 5) 
 
By Reporter Kim Young-sik 
 
"My mother always told me, 'you really don't know if you don't 
go.'" 
 
On March 12, Stanley Colvin, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for 
Education and Cultural Affairs, made the statement to 190 Korean 
students, who will depart for the U.S. next month under the WEST 
(Work, English Study and Travel) Program, adding, "I hope you enjoy 
new adventures."  He visited Seoul in order to attend the launching 
ceremony of the WEST Program, which was held at the Ministry of 
Foreign Affairs and Trade in Jong-ro, Seoul, on March 11. 
 
During a March 12 interview with Dong-a Ilbo at the U.S. Embassy in 
Seoul, he stressed, "Long-term relationships start when you are 
young," adding that youth exchanges between the two countries will 
have a positive impact on the improvement in relations between the 
ROK and the U.S. 
 
¶Q. What significance does the WEST Program have? 
 
"It is quite an important and unique program that has been developed 
in recognition of our strong bilateral relations.  It combines what 
are interesting programs to young students: English language 
training (5 months), traveling (1 month), and opportunities to have 
an internship (12 months).  Thanks to both Presidents' endorsement, 
it got off to a good start. (The WEST Program is an exchange program 
which was agreed at the ROK-U.S. summit last April (sic - August).) 
" 
 
¶Q.  Since this is the first program of its kind, some Koreans are 
concerned about what they feel are a lack of preparations by the 
U.S. 
 
"Three sponsors, which we have chosen to lead this program, are all 
recognized leaders in the U.S. (in the field of exchange and intern 
placement).  First, with a 62-year-old history, the Council for 
International Educational Exchange (CIEE) has over 400 employees and 
has arranged more than 40,000 exchanges so far.  Second, the Intrax 
Cultural Exchange (ICE) also has 30 years of experience.  Finally, 
the 60-year-old Association for International Practical Training 
(AIPT), which was created post-World War II, is the U.S. member of 
the International Association of Science and Technology Exchanges." 
 
 
SEOUL 00000393  005 OF 006 
 
 
¶Q. Some (participants) are worried that they might have return to 
the ROK if they do not get an internship after completing the 
five-month language course. 
 
"It is a legitimate fear because this is a brand-new program. 
However, even if internship activities are suspended for some 
unexpected reasons, the sponsors, which have broad and deep 
capabilities, would also find them another internship." 
 
¶Q. (There are concerns that) Korean students are not familiar to the 
U.S. corporate culture. 
 
"At yesterday's orientation, I found that the students have a lot of 
interest (in this issue.)  Each sponsor is developing a different 
program.  Since the language classes that students will take are 
related to corporate culture, the students should not have any 
difficulties. 
 
¶Q. Why does each sponsor run a separate program? 
 
 "It (WEST) is designed to provide the opportunity of choice.  We 
also want to see which model will work best as a longer-term 
proposition.  For instance, because the ICE program includes home 
stays, it provides an opportunity to be in an immersive English 
environment and to interact with an American family. 
 
¶Q. Considering that U.S. companies are in a difficult situation due 
to the economic crisis, wouldn't the participating students have 
difficulties getting an internship? 
 
"It's a difficult economic environment, but business still goes on. 
In 1973-74 and 1982-84, the U.S. experienced economic recessions 
caused by oil shocks, but workers found jobs." (Editor's Note: 
Colvin also stated, although it was not included in the article, 
that from a hiring standpoint, companies typically treat internships 
differently and more leniently than they do full-time employment.) 
 
¶Q. Your original plan was to expand the number of participants to 
5,000 a year.  Do you think this will be difficult? 
 
"It is difficult to expand the number to 5,000 this year.  However, 
if, as we build the program, we systematically increase the number 
-- to 400 and to 600 and so on -- I expect that we will eventually 
get to the target number of up to 5,000 a year." 
 
¶Q. Do you have any plan to expand the WEST Program to other 
countries? 
 
"When it comes to all pilot programs, running them successfully is 
more important than anything else.  I am not sure that the WEST 
Program would work as well in other countries.  This is because 
demand for the English language and the bilateral relationship with 
the U.S. provide the firm foundation for this program.  This program 
is unique to Korea." 
 
¶Q. Are you planning to have a similar program for U.S. students who 
wish to come to the ROK? 
 
"That is part of what we are looking at.  We are pushing a plan to 
have high school students or teachers come to the ROK for short-term 
programs.  We want to have Americans coming here and having the same 
experience." 
 
¶Q. President Obama recently mentioned that U.S. students should now 
spend more time in the classroom, as Korean students do.  What do 
you think about this? 
 
"U.S. students should (probably) study more.  However, since (the 
ROK and the U.S.) have different education systems, it seems 
difficult to apply (the same system) uniformly.  I think that what 
the President was actually saying is we could probably improve the 
American school system." 
 
 
 
SEOUL 00000393  006 OF 006 
 
 
STEPHENS