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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 SEOUL 000551 
 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR ECON KPAO KMDR KS US
SUBJECT: SEOUL - MEDIA REACTION 
 
East Asia and Pacific: DPRK, missile launch 
------------------------------------------- 
 
"NORTH KOREA'S MISSILE CAPACITY IS A SERIOUS THREAT" 
 
Conservative Chosun Ilbo editorialized (04/06): "Even if North Korea 
failed to put a satellite into orbit, this launch demonstrated that 
North Korea's ICBM (intercontinental ballistic missile) capability 
has reached a certain level. ... North Korea already claimed to have 
succeeded in conducting a nuclear test in 2006... The ROK, by 
contrast, has given up its nuclear armament capability under the 
Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) and is restrained by the 
Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) from developing missiles 
with the range of more than 300km and payload of more than 500kg. 
In other words, the strategic imbalance between the two Koreas in 
nuclear weapons and missiles is becoming increasingly serious. ... 
The ROKG, while preparing for sanctions against North Korea's 
missile launch and the ensuing negotiations with the North in the 
short term, should come up with a fundamental strategy how to 
protect national security under the threat of a North Korea armed 
with nuclear and long-range missile capabilities." 
 
 
"NORTH KOREA SHOULD BE PUNISHED FOR ROCKET LAUNCH" 
 
Right-of-center JoongAng Ilbo editorialized (04/06): "Since the U.S. 
is expressing willingness to have dialogue with North Korea, in 
addition to taking a tough response (to the rocket launch), the U.S. 
is expected to have contact with the North sometime.  The problem is 
that even if bilateral talks are held between the two countries, no 
one knows when the North will get what it wants.  In fact, most of 
the economic aid to the North comes from the ROK and Japan.  ... 
The prospect for an accelerated arms race in North East Asia will 
also adversely affect North Korea.  Japan, which has viewed the 
North's rocket launch as a good opportunity to build up its military 
power, will set out to increase its military spending, inevitably 
prompting China to respond in the same way...  In this case, it is 
evident that China would not condone North Korea's position as much 
as it does now.  The North's missile launch might lift its 'national 
status' but will ultimately not benefit the country." 
 
 
"VIOLATING NORTH KOREA'S OWN INTERESTS" 
 
Conservative Dong-a Ilbo editorialized (04/06): "North Korea will 
not stop here.  Now that it has a nuclear test and rocket launch 
under its belt, it is likely to move on to developing a nuclear 
warhead small enough to be carried by a missile.  A second nuclear 
test is also probable. ... The first step in resolving the security 
threat triggered by Pyongyang's provocation is for the international 
community to reinforce the principle of 'no reward for bad 
behavior.'  It is regrettable that China and Russia simply urged 
calm and controlled responses immediately after yesterday's launch 
without citing the provocation's violation of Resolution 1718. ... 
Their inept action could even invite further provocations by 
Pyongyang.   The U.N. Security Council, which will hold a meeting 
today, must draft specific measures to make it clear to the North 
that its provocations will run counter to its interests. " 
 
 
"NORTH KOREA SHOULD PAY THE PRICE FOR ROCKET LAUNCH" 
 
Moderate Hankook Ilbo editorialized (04/06): "The international 
community needs to refrain from overreacting to the North's rocket 
launch.  The international community should make sure that North 
Korea pays a price for its rocket launch while keeping the Six-Party 
Talks on track and continuing to pursue talks.  North Korea's 
missile issue should be eventually resolved through dialogue and 
negotiations.  Given this, it is noteworthy that President Obama 
reiterated that the Six-Party Talks, aside from the rocket launch, 
should be an important framework for denuclearizing and easing 
tensions on the Korean Peninsula and discussing other issues related 
to the Korean Peninsula. " 
 
 
SEOUL 00000551  002 OF 002 
 
 
 
"MINIMIZING AFTEREFFECTS OF NORTH KOREA'S LAUNCH" 
 
Left-leaning Hankyoreh Shinmun editorialized (04/06): "There are 
also views that this launch should not be taken as an act of 
provocation by North Korea but rather be used as a catalyst for 
strengthening negotiations on (North Korea's) nuclear weapons and 
missiles.  The unreasonable pursuit of sanctions in this situation 
could get us away from the original intention of containing a 
threat, making the situation much worse.  Such a move might even 
undermine the goal of denuclearizing and building peace on the 
Korean Peninsula.  North Korea's launch smacks strongly of an 
attempt to secure internal unity ahead of the first session of its 
12th Supreme People's Assembly.  This means that North Korea's 
system is so weak that its leaders feel they must use this launch to 
demonstrate their power to their people.  An immoderate response 
from related nations could fan this feeling of crisis within North 
Korea's leadership and send the situation spinning in the wrong 
direction." 
 
 
STEPHENS