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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 SEOUL 000581 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR ECON KPAO KS US
SUBJECT: SEOUL - PRESS BULLETIN; April 9, 2009 
 
TOP HEADLINES 
------------- 
 
Chosun Ilbo, Segye Ilbo, Seoul Shinmun 
Former President Roh and His Wife to be Summoned Soon over Receipt 
of Money from Taekwang Industrial Chairman Park, who is at the 
Center of Bribery Scandal 
 
JoongAng Ilbo 
Former President Roh's Son: "I Invested $10,000 in a U.S. Venture 
Company... I Never Used 
Even 10 Won of Chairman Park's Money" 
 
Dong-a Ilbo 
Taekwang Industrial Chairman Park: "I Provided $5 Million to Former 
President Roh's Nephew-In-Law 
at the President's Request" 
 
Hankook Ilbo 
Taekwang Chairman Park Allegedly Told Prosecutors that He Provided 
Money to Roh's Former Secretary, 
Asking Him to Deliver the Money to Roh 
 
Hankyoreh Shinmun 
Former President Roh's Son Met Taekwang CEO with the Former 
President's Nephew-In-Law 
 
 
DOMESTIC DEVELOPMENTS 
--------------------- 
According to an ROKG official, Seoul supports 
U.S.-North Korea talks on the North's missile 
issue within the framework of the Six-Party 
Talks. (Hankyoreh) 
 
 
INTERNATIONAL NEWS 
------------------ 
 
North Korea's latest rocket launch could spark an arms race in 
Northeast Asia. Japan is using the launch as an opportunity to beef 
up its military power; it has decided to advance its military 
build-up plan by one year. China also is strengthening its military 
capability, itself wary that the U.S., the ROK and Japan are using 
the rocket launch as a pretext to increase their military power. 
(JoongAng) 
 
North Korea will open the 12th Supreme People's Assembly session 
today, beginning Kim Jong-il's third term as the country's leader. 
(All) 
 
According to the April 7 issue of The New York Times, the U.S. seeks 
to replace the walk-through metal detectors at airport checkpoints 
with whole-body imaging machines, which provide an image of the 
naked body. The whole-body imaging machines are currently in use at 
19 airports in the U.S. This move would likely spark controversy 
over human rights violations, because the body-imaging machines are 
the "equivalent of a physically invasive strip-search." (Chosun, 
JoongAng, Hankook, Seoul, MBC) 
 
 
MEDIA ANALYSIS 
-------------- 
 
-North Korea 
------------ 
Right-of-center JoongAng Ilbo gave prominent inside-page play to its 
report claiming that North Korea's latest rocket launch could spark 
an arms race in Northeast Asia.  The report explained that Japan is 
using the launch as an opportunity to beef up its military. China 
also is strengthening its military capability, itself wary that the 
U.S., the ROK and Japan are using the rocket launch as a pretext to 
 
SEOUL 00000581  002 OF 005 
 
 
increase their military power, according to the report. 
 
JoongAng Ilbo editorialized: "The effects of North Korea's rocket 
launch are serious. ... There are some in the ROK who want to see us 
develop our own missile and nuclear programs.  Japan is also taking 
this as an opportunity to reinforce its military power. North Korea 
has certainly succeeded in attracting international attention, but 
that is the end of the story.  As long as the North continues to 
threaten the world, the international community has no choice but to 
respond with sanctions or similar measures." 
 
Citing local experts, who looked at video footage of the North's 
rocket launch released by AP, conservative Chosun Ilbo claimed that 
the North's rocket was made using the technology of the "Long 
March-1" rocket China fired in the 1970s. 
 
Left-leaning Hankyoreh Shinmun quoted an ROKG official as saying 
yesterday that Seoul supports U.S.-North Korea talks on the North's 
missile issue within the framework of the Six-Party Talks.  The 
newspaper noted that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton proposed in 
March that the missile issue should be included on the agenda for 
the Six-Party Talks, and speculated that the ROKG hopes this 
position could help bring North Korea to the negotiation table as 
soon as possible. 
 
 
OPINIONS/EDITORIALS 
------------------- 
 
LAUNCH FALLOUT 
(JoongAng  Ilbo, April 9, 2009, Page 46) 
 
The effects of North Korea's rocket launch are serious.  The United 
Nations Security Council has yet to agree on a response to the 
launch.  There are some in the ROK who want to see us develop our 
own missile and nuclear programs.  Japan is also taking this as an 
opportunity to reinforce its military power.  North Korea has 
certainly succeeded in attracting international attention, but that 
is the end of the story.  As long as the North continues to threaten 
the world, the international community has no choice but to respond 
with sanctions or similar measures. 
 
The North is celebrating the successful launch of a communications 
satellite, but the world knows that nothing made it into orbit. 
Even if this launch was just a show for the opening of the North's 
Supreme People's Assembly, it is still absurd. However, if the 
launch was designed to promote the North's "military-first policy," 
its effects are not likely to last.  The North is a reclusive 
regime, but news about the failure of the launch will soon spread, 
increasing the North Korean people's distrust of their leaders. 
 
Meanwhile, the North has detained two American journalists and a 
Korean worker, perhaps as a negotiating tool.  The North probably 
thought that holding the Americans hostage would provide it with an 
opening to engage the U.S. in direct talks.  The launch also seems 
aimed at creating division in the ROK by presenting it with an 
obstacle to its North Korea policy.  What North Korea has done is 
ugly and inhumane. 
 
This latest crisis, with the preceding events, has also negatively 
impacted the Kaesong Industrial Complex.  Prior to the launch, the 
North prevented ROK officials from freely traveling to and from the 
joint industrial zone, demanded that an annual ROK-U.S. military 
drill be stopped and called on the ROK to change its North Korea 
policy.  As tensions begin to escalate, companies already operating 
within the Kaesong complex are reconsidering their prospects and 
cancelling plans for new factories.  The two Koreas have invested a 
decade into the project, but the future now seems precarious. 
 
The North must regain its sense of reason.  It is impossible to 
imagine any nation building diplomatic ties with the world while 
simultaneously threatening it with nuclear arms and missiles.  North 
Korea should take China's example to heart.  Only a generation after 
its decision to adopt reforms, China has developed into a superpower 
 
SEOUL 00000581  003 OF 005 
 
 
competitive as the United States.  Vietnam is another example of an 
emerging economy growing out of decades of reform.  Is it too much 
to expect the North to follow in the footsteps of these nations, 
which managed rapid growth while maintaining socialist regimes? 
 
(This is a translation provided by the newspaper, and it is 
identical to the Korean version.) 
 
 
FEATURES 
-------- 
 
ROKG OFFICIAL: SEOUL SUPPORTS U.S.-NORTH KOREA TALKS OVER MISSILE 
WITHIN SIX-PARTY TALKS 
(Hankyoreh Shinmun, April 9, 2009, Page 6) 
 
By reporter Lee Yong-in 
 
Amid international discussions over a response to North Korea's 
rocket launch, the ROKG reportedly decided to support U.S.-North 
Korea talks on the North's missile issue within the framework of the 
Six-Party Talks. 
 
An ROKG official said on April 8 that in whatever manner possible, 
North Korea's missile issue should be dealt with.  The U.S. and the 
ROK share the view that the North's missile issue should be 
addressed at U.S.-North Korea talks within the Six-Party Talks.  In 
fact, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton proposed in March that 
the missile issue should be included on the agenda for the Six-Party 
Talks.  This position could help bring North Korea to the 
negotiation table as soon as possible.  Missile talks would mean 
(the possibility of) compensation (for North Korea).  Accordingly, 
the U.S. intention is to engage North Korea in talks more actively 
by increasing the amount of compensation the North could receive. 
 
Putting missile talks within the framework of the Six-Party Talks 
might be advantageous for the U.S. since responsibilities and risks 
could be shared.  In light of the progress on U.S.-North Korea 
missile talks in 2000, the U.S. is in a position to offer to launch 
North Korea's satellite into orbit in return for a moratorium on its 
missile firing.  Russia might offer to launch North Korea's 
satellite instead.  Moreover, whenever U.S.-North Korea talks are 
deadlocked, we can expect arbitration and coordination from China. 
The Six-Party Talks are the only way for the ROK to secure room for 
diplomatic maneuver since inter-Korean relations are strained.  That 
is why the ROKG officials continue to stress the need to resume the 
Six-Party Talks. 
 
Also, a long-distance rocket is the main issue of contention between 
North Korea and the U.S.  Therefore, many experts believe that there 
is a high possibility that after dealing with the missile issue 
through bilateral talks, the U.S. and North Korea may hold 
working-level talks towards normalizing U.S.-North Korea relations. 
This is why the Six-Party Talks and U.S.-North Korea bilateral talks 
regarding the missile issue go hand in hand. 
 
However, experts are concerned that if the missile issue is also 
discussed during the Six-Party Talks negotiating the nuclear issue, 
the Talks may stall for quite a long time.  A diplomatic observer 
said on condition of anonymity that negotiations to set timetables 
for both nuclear dismantlement and missile compensation will delay 
matters. 
 
 
KOREA-U.S. VISION ASSOCIATION (KUVA) FOUNDED 
(Maeil Business Newspaper, April 9, 2009, Page 37) 
 
By reporter Yun Won-seop 
 
Kim Jin-hyun was elected as founding President. 
 
The Korea-U.S. Vision Association (KUVA) bringing together Koreans 
who have participated in U.S. Department of State-sponsored exchange 
programs was established on April 8.  Kim Jin-hyun, Chairman of the 
 
SEOUL 00000581  004 OF 005 
 
 
World Peace Forum, was elected as the first President of the KUVA. 
At the founding ceremony held on the same day at the Seoul Press 
Center, President Kim said, "KUVA members are those aware of the 
importance and closeness of ROK-U.S. relations in the 20th century. 
He stressed that the Association will serve to bolster the ROK-U.S. 
alliance. 
 
President Kim noted that Korea's success has allowed its people to 
share common values, such as liberty and human rights, with the U.S. 
 He added that the U.S. said Korea is increasingly becoming a more 
valuable Asian ally, capable of exchanging "high civilized values" 
with the U.S. 
 
The State Department-sponsored exchange programs include the 
International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), Fulbright Program, 
Eisenhower Fellowship, and Congress Youth Exchange (CYX), which have 
produced approximately 3,000 alumni in aggregate.  It seems that the 
KUVA's founding has paved the way to integrate and develop these 
alumni organizations. 
 
The Association has 15 steering members including Director for the 
Future Foundation Koo Hae-woo and plans to increase the number of 
board members.  Also, the Association plans to register its general 
alumni association as a non-profit organization with the Ministry of 
Foreign Affairs and Trade. 
 
 
"NORTH KOREA SHOWS MUCH PROGRESS IN ROCKET TECHNOLOGY" ... JAPAN 
ADVANCES MILITARY EXPANSION PLAN BY A YEAR 
(JoongAng Ilbo, April 9, 2009, Page 6) 
 
By Correspondents Kim Dong-ho and Chang Se-jung from Tokyo and 
Beijing 
 
North Korea's long-range rocket launch is expected to spark an arms 
race in Northeast Asia.  Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party 
even raised the need for "nuclear armament."  The Japanese Ministry 
of Defense is showing signs of increasing its supply of high-tech 
armaments in earnest.  The ministry has decided to devise its next 
mid-term defense plan this year, a year earlier than initially 
planned, because of the threat from the North.  Under this plan for 
military expansion from 2010 to 2014, Japan will finish building its 
Missile Defense (MD) system by 2012.  Japan also plans to persuade 
the U.S. to allow it to introduce F-22 stealth fighters. 
 
China is concerned about this development.  Although the Chinese 
government has not made any official comments yet, China's state-run 
media is keeping close tabs on military expansion plans in the U.S., 
Japan and the ROK.  There are concerns that Japan's move toward 
military buildup may provoke China, further intensifying an arms 
race in Northeast Asia. 
 
Japan Finds Justification for Military Expansion 
 
According to Japanese media, Rep. Goji Sakamoto of the Liberal 
Democratic Party (LDP), who is responsible for strengthening the 
party structure, said during an April 7 liaison conference of staff 
members, "They (the North Koreans) possess nuclear (weapons 
programs).  Isn't it okay to say that Japan also 'has them'?" 
Although some Japanese ultra-rightists have raised the need for 
nuclear armament, it is very unusual for a LDP leader to mention 
nuclear armament at the party's official meeting.  As his remark was 
expected to stir up controversy, Rep. Sakamoto backed off, stating 
at a press conference, "Don't you know that Japan can neither go 
nuclear nor withdraw from the UN?  I simply made these comments to 
suggest that we should respond sternly with North Korea."  However, 
his comments also boosted rightists' calls for "nuclear armament." 
 
On April 8, Japanese media gave wide coverage to analyzing images of 
the rocket launch, which were released by the North a day earlier, 
and advances in Pyongyang's military technology.  Geichi Noki, a 
military commentator and missile technology expert, said in The 
Asahi Shimbun, "Because of the rocket's sleek design and stable 
structure, North Korea seems to have made a great deal of headway in 
 
SEOUL 00000581  005 OF 005 
 
 
rocket technology."  Military commentator Kenske Ebada also noted, 
"Despite its large size, the rocket went up very fast right after 
liftoff, which showed that the North has made good technological 
progress." 
 
The Yomiuri Shimbun reported, "The ROK's missile has a range of only 
300 kilometers, and so it is difficult for the ROK to respond to the 
North," adding, "The ROK is also discussing ways to extend its 
missile range and build the MD system."  Observers say that the 
reason why Japanese media and military experts think highly of North 
Korea's rocket technology and even mention the ROK's response is 
because Japan wants to justify beefing up its military capabilities. 
 Thus far, whenever North Korea has engaged in military action such 
as launching a Taepodong missile, Japan has enhanced its military 
capabilities, which includes building the MD system. 
 
While guarding against other nations' move, China strengthens its 
military power 
 
Under the headline, "The U.S., Japan and the ROK Using North Korea's 
Satellite Launch as Excuse for Military Buildup," Beijing's 
Shinkyungbo reported on April 8, "Japan intends to have mid-range 
cruise missile capabilities."  Guangzhou Daily carried a special 
feature story focused on Japan's military expansion under the 
headline, "Japan Quietly Going Down Road toward a Military Power." 
Reporting that the U.S., Japan and the ROK developed the MD system 
under the pretext of deterring North Korea's rocket launch, China is 
warning against the possibility of the ROK's full participation in 
the U.S. and Japanese-led Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI). 
 
 
Professor Ryu Chang-ryoong at Tsinghua University, an expert on 
Japanese affairs, said, "The U.S. and Japan, which have been 
developing the MD system on the pretext of curbing North Korea, will 
use the North's launch to accelerate their development efforts." 
Some analysts say that China will also accelerate its efforts at 
strengthening its national security.  As the world's third greatest 
economic power, China has sharply increased its military spending 
every year.  This year, as well, China has earmarked 480.6 billion 
yuan (about 96 trillion won) for its military budget, up 14.9 
percent from last year. 
 
 
STEPHENS