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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 14 SEOUL 000826 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR ECON KPAO KS US
SUBJECT: SEOUL - PRESS BULLETIN; May 26, 2009 
 
TOP HEADLINES 
------------- 
 
All, All TVs 
North Korea Conducts Second Nuclear Test; North Korea 
Also Test-Fires 3 Missiles 
 
 
DOMESTIC DEVELOPMENTS 
--------------------- 
 
North Korea's state media reported that North Korean leader Kim 
Jong-il expressed his condolences to the bereaved family of former 
ROK President Roh Moo-hyun who died on Saturday.  This took place 
just hours before North Korea conducted its second nuclear test. 
(All, All TVs) 
 
U.S. Ambassador to the ROK Kathleen Stephens visited the mourning 
altar yesterday to pay tribute to former President Roh. (Chosun) 
 
Health officials said on May 25 that an additional H1N1 infection 
case was found among a group of foreign English teachers with 14 
others having already tested positive for the virus. As of 
yesterday, the total number of people who have contracted the 
disease in the ROK is 22. (All, All TVs) 
 
 
INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENTS 
-------------------------- 
 
North Korea said on May 25 that it conducted a successful second 
nuclear test to strengthen its "nuclear deterrent for self-defense." 
 The North said the underground nuclear test was "safely conducted 
on a new higher level in terms of its explosive power and the 
technology of its control." (All, All TVs) 
 
The ROK's presidential office said that North Korea also test-fired 
three short-range surface-to-air missiles from eastern coastal 
launch sites. (All, All TVs) 
 
President Lee Myung-bak chaired an emergency National Security 
Council meeting in response to the test.  The ROK condemned the 
North's move as an intolerable provocation that clearly violated 
inter-Korean and multinational agreements and a UN resolution that 
banned its nuclear test and missile-related activities. (All, All 
TVs) 
 
U.S. President Barack Obama said that the test was "a threat to 
international peace" and "warrants action by the international 
community." Also, Japan and the European Union condemned North 
Korea's nuclear test as a violation of UN sanctions.  The Chinese 
Foreign Ministry issued a statement strongly condemning North 
Korea's nuclear test. (All, All TVs) 
 
The Russian Defense Ministry was quoted as saying the explosion 
measured up to 20 kilotons, 20 times more powerful than the 2006 
test. (All, All TVs) 
 
 
MEDIA ANALYSIS 
-------------- 
 
-North Korea 
------------ 
 
-Nuclear Test 
All the ROK media carried prominent reports on the second nuclear 
test North Korea conducted on May 25.  ROK media noted that the test 
was conducted just hours after North Korean media reported that 
leader Kim Jong-il had expressed his condolences to the bereaved 
family of former ROK President Roh Moo-hyun who died on Saturday. 
In an inside-page analytical item in right-of-center JoongAng Ilbo, 
the columnist opined that that North Korea's nuclear test was 
 
SEOUL 00000826  002 OF 014 
 
 
carried out in an effort to "maintain its political system."   The 
columnist also observed that, after the nuclear test was conducted, 
the North Korean policies of other countries which are premised on 
denuclearization became almost useless.  Conservative Dong-a Ilbo 
reported on the front page that North Korea did not consider events 
in the ROK when scheduling the second nuclear test on May 25  (and 
went ahead with the test despite the death of former ROK president 
Roh.)   According to the newspaper, some experts believe that North 
Korea chose May 25 for its second nuclear test because it fell on 
U.S. Memorial Day. 
 
Dong-a Ilbo noted that North Korea claimed that it had conducted a 
second nuclear test to strengthen its "nuclear deterrent for 
self-defense."  The newspaper observed that North Korea's action 
could fuel anti-North Korea sentiment in the ROK and may increase 
public support for President Lee Myung-bak's North Korea policy. 
 
Citing the Russian Defense Ministry, Dong-a Ilbo noted that the 
explosion measured up to 20 kilotons, 20 times more powerful than 
the 2006 test. 
 
Moderate Hankook Ilbo noted that many observers believe that North 
Korea conducted its second nuclear test to enhance its negotiating 
power in talks with the U.S. and increase pressure on the U.S. 
According to the newspaper, other observers believe that the North's 
nuclear test was intended to be a follow-up to the first nuclear 
test (in 2006) in order to technically improve and complete its 
nuclear weapons program. 
 
Most ROK media reported strong reaction from the international 
community to North Korea's nuclear test.  Conservative Chosun Ilbo 
quoted U.S. President Barack Obama as saying that the test was a 
"threat to international peace" and "warrants action by the 
international community."  According to the newspaper, Japan and the 
European Union condemned North Korea's nuclear test as a violation 
of UN sanctions, and the Chinese Foreign Ministry issued a statement 
strongly condemning North Korea's nuclear test. 
 
In a related development, according to most ROK media, the ROK's 
presidential office said that North Korea also test-fired three 
short-range surface-to-air missiles from its eastern coastal launch 
site. 
 
JoongAng Ilbo editorialized: "The fact that North Korea has become a 
nuclear state poses a grave threat to our national security.  We 
need to reexamine and reorganize our security measures immediately. 
Although our conventional weapons are much stronger than North 
Korea's, they are useless before a nuclear weapon.  Since we are not 
in a position to possess nuclear weapons immediately, we have no 
choice but to entirely depend on the U.S. nuclear umbrella." 
 
Chosun Ilbo editorialized: "Although the ROK is under desperate 
threat from North Korea's possession of nuclear weapons and 
intercontinental ballistic missiles, there is no way for the ROK to 
take substantial countermeasures against North Korea's nuclear and 
missile threats because Seoul is bound by the Nuclear 
Non-Proliferation Treaty, the Missile Technology Control Regime, and 
the ROK-U.S. Memorandum of Understanding on missiles.  ... Under 
North Korea's nuclear and missile threat, the ROK now needs 
"deterrence for self-defense." 
 
Hankyoreh Shinmun editorialized: "Although the Barack Obama 
Administration has adopted a big picture approach favoring 
comprehensive direct negotiations with North Korea, it has dragged 
its feet over coming up with specific measures. ... It is true that 
the U.S.'s relaxed attitude contributed to aggravating the 
situation. ... In particular, by snubbing North Korea with "benign 
neglect," many U.S. officials did not try to prevent the nuclear 
test but made it an established fact." 
 
 
OPINIONS/EDITORIALS 
------------------- 
 
 
SEOUL 00000826  003 OF 014 
 
 
DEATH OF PUBLIC MAN 
(JoongAng Ilbo, May 26, Page 43) 
 
By Senior Columnist Moon Chang-keuk 
 
I can understand how (former President Roh Moo-hyun) may have felt 
but I don't think his choice (to commit suicide) was right.  He 
should have considered the effect that the death of a person who 
once served as a national leader would produce.  We may ask what 
else a person intent on killing himself could have in mind? 
However, this (lack of serious thought on future effects) was (also) 
his weak point during his term in office.  Why wasn't he conscious 
of the "representativeness" and "seriousness" of having served as 
former president?  What if he had written in a death note that he is 
ending his life because he could not save his honor as president but 
he hopes that his death will make this country follow a new path, 
going beyond divisiveness?  In this country, which infamously has 
recorded the highest rate of suicide in the world, what impact would 
be felt if the person who once served as president takes his own 
life? 
 
Supposedly, death forgives everything but his death should be judged 
based on whether it is the death of a "natural man" or a "public 
man."  As a natural man, we feel regret and grief but his act as a 
public man was inappropriate.  The prosecution's handling (of this 
matter after his death) is also problematic.  The prosecutors pushed 
him too hard as if he were a serious criminal and then, upon his 
death, announced that all investigations (into his alleged 
corruption) will cease.  The right to arraignment is no longer 
effective after the death of a concerned party but it does not mean 
that the crimes have also vanished.  I don't suggest we harass him 
(even after his death).  (But) the facts should be clarified and we 
should ascertain whether the prosecutors went too far (in 
investigating him).  It is the same with the security service.  The 
security service should have prepared thoroughly against even this 
possibility.   Our country became infamous for its inability to 
protect former presidents.  Saying that (his) death is regrettable 
is one thing, but protecting the "framework" of a country is 
another. 
 
The meaning of death depends not on the one who died but how those 
who are left behind consider the death.  In this sense, I suggest we 
put an end to divisiveness through his death.  Let's shake off the 
hatred we harbor against each other.  Let's halt last decade's 
conflict through his death.  In particular, aren't those who love 
him obligated to make his death meaningful? 
 
 
COOPERATION AT 'PEOPLE'S FUNERAL' FOR ROH 
(Dong-a Ilbo, May 25, 2009, Page 31) 
 
A "people`s funeral" will be held for former President Roh Moo-hyun 
Friday following a seven-day mourning period.  A people`s funeral 
means the ceremony will be held in the name of the people. 
Cooperation at all levels is required to carry out the funeral in a 
solemn and calm manner. 
 
The government's decision to hold such a funeral might reflect the 
people's desire to use the funeral as an opportunity to promote 
national reconciliation.  Roh`s bereaved wife and aides who first 
wanted a family funeral probably accepted the government's 
suggestion in order to promote the cause (for national 
reconciliation.)  Therefore, everyone should cooperate in order to 
ensure a peaceful funeral regardless of what they thought of the 
deceased.  To help in carrying out the funeral in a solemn and calm 
manner is not only a way to offer condolences to the bereaved 
family, but can also fulfill the duties of mature citizens. 
 
In this context, the drastic action taken by certain Roh supporters 
at the funeral hall in his hometown is cause for concern.  Prime 
Minister Han Seung-soo, who visited the funeral hall to express his 
condolences on behalf of the government, was blocked by the 
supporters.  They even threw eggs or water at National Assembly 
Speaker Kim Hyong-o and the head of the minor conservative Liberty 
 
SEOUL 00000826  004 OF 014 
 
 
Forward Party Lee Hoi-chang.  Former Grand National Party leader 
Park Geun-hye also could not offer her condolences and even the 
former presidential candidate of the main opposition Democratic 
Party Chung Dong-young had to wait a day before he could do so. 
Some even went as far as trampling on flowers sent by President Lee 
Myung-bak, former President Chun Doo-hwan and ruling party Chairman 
Park Hee-tae.  It is a disgrace to the deceased and his bereaved 
family for supporters to rudely treat those who tried to express 
their condolences to the bereaved family regardless of their 
political stance, and visitors to the funeral hall who traveled a 
great distance. 
 
It is equally undesirable for some people to suggest that there was 
a political conspiracy behind Roh's death and to use Web bulletin 
boards, that were set up for expressing condolences, as a means to 
instigate another round of candlelight vigils.  Some people are also 
trying to reignite social unrest by abusing the good will of people 
just wishing to express their condolences.  Roh in his suicide note 
urged (us) "not to blame anyone."  If his death leads to more finger 
pointing and bitter criticism, his soul cannot rest in peace.  If 
his supporters wish to sincerely mourn his death, they need a calm 
and rational attitude. 
 
The differences (in public opinion) over the death of a former head 
of state is largely blamed on politics that has driven a wedge 
between people instead of promoting social cohesion.  Former 
National Assembly Speaker Kim Soo-han said, "The maturity of the 
people is equal to that of national politics.  It is time for us to 
look back at ourselves instead of pointing fingers at others." 
Korea`s political leaders need to ensure that Roh's death can result 
in social harmony and cohesion rather than in conflict and 
divisiveness. 
 
(This is a translation provided by the newspaper, and it is 
identical to the Korean version.) 
 
 
A MOMENT FOR NATIONAL UNITY 
(JoongAng Ilbo, May 25, 2009, Page 42) 
 
A chorus of condolence calls is pouring in lamenting the tragic 
death of the 16th President of Korea.  To express their deep sorrow, 
citizens are walking more than two kilometers to Bongha Village, the 
home of former President Roh Moo-hyun, where his body lies in state. 
 A steady stream of people, many holding children by the hand, leads 
into downtown Seoul to burn incense at makeshift mourning altars. 
Volunteers are busy helping people express their sympathy in an 
orderly manner.  Yesterday, people prayed for Roh's eternal rest in 
heaven and for the bereaved family's good health at churches, 
cathedrals and temples nationwide.  People conveyed a message of 
condolence, irrespective of age, gender or social status, whether in 
the ruling or opposition camp, whether conservative or progressive, 
pro-Roh or anti-Roh. 
 
The whole nation is expressing sadness - even Park Geun-hye, former 
chairperson of the Grand National Party, who was one of the late 
Roh's major political rivals while he was in office. Her supporters' 
group, Parksamo, released a message of respect for the late former 
president.  "Although we struggled with him during his whole term in 
office due to our different ideologies and political stances, he was 
a president of great importance from a long-term historical 
perspective," they said.  The incumbent President, Lee Myung-bak, is 
scheduled to visit the ceremonial funeral hall in Bongha Village. 
After a seven-day mourning period, the former president will be laid 
to rest in his home village, in accordance with his will. 
 
His suicide, jumping off a cliff, is a shocking tragedy that defies 
explanation.  This death is unprecedented, and it comes during a 
tumultuous time for Korea.  Many people are experiencing tough 
circumstances during this economic crisis.  The nation is also in 
disarray due to social conflicts, political deadlock between the two 
Koreas, conflict between labor and management, the issue of 
irregular workers, conflicts on legislation between the ruling and 
opposition parties and physical struggles by radical labor unions. 
 
SEOUL 00000826  005 OF 014 
 
 
In these circumstances, with many people feeling a sense of unease, 
the suicide of the former national leader, who had been leading the 
country until just last year, can only be described as shocking. 
 
It is urgent and imperative that Korean society weathers this tragic 
event prudently, and strengthens its firm foundation for stability 
and historical development in order to help the country move 
forward.  Most importantly, the grieving family must be shown proper 
respect, and the funeral to carry Roh to his eternal rest must be 
conducted in a sensible and respectful manner.  We should also take 
this opportunity to look back calmly on Roh's political legacy, 
which now falls to all of us to inherit and develop.  We must give 
his historic presidency its due. 
 
In a situation where conflict still runs rampant, what matters most 
is calm and serenity in carrying out these difficult tasks.  As 
President Roh wrote in his last testament, "Don't blame anyone." 
That applies to all of us.  Though political figures or interest 
groups may hold opinions completely contrary to Roh's, and may have 
engaged in bitter struggles against him and his supporters on policy 
and social issues, we can only move Korea forward through 
compromise.  And that cannot be done by excluding the followers of 
the late former president. 
 
Similarly, it is inappropriate to blame the prosecutors for the 
death of President Roh without any evidence, or to block specific 
persons or groups from expressing their condolences at his funeral. 
Actions like these would not resolve any conflicts and would be 
contrary to the wishes of the late president.  For example: It was 
wrong to destroy the flowers sent by President Lee Myung-bak. 
 
The public will simply not tolerate particular groups of people 
appropriating Roh's death to mobilize politically and to plan 
aggressive demonstrations.  The crowds participating in this 
procession of condolences intend to extend their sympathy for 
President Roh and his bereaved family.  But this expression should 
also be a calm manifestation of the people's will not to exacerbate 
social conflict. 
 
The bereaved family accepted the proposal of the government to hold 
a "people's funeral" for the late president.  A people's funeral is 
meant to send the deceased to eternal rest, sharing the sadness of 
the whole nation and extending sympathy to the bereaved family.  In 
the modern history of Korea, its first President, Syngman Rhee; the 
great patriot Kim Gu, and President Choi Kyu-hah all went to their 
eternal rest honorably at people's funerals.  A people's funeral is 
the end, in the sense that it gives us a chance to bid farewell to a 
late national leader, but it also implies a new starting point for 
national accord.  We would like to suggest that while the funeral is 
taking place, all the various groups reflect upon the five years of 
rule by our national leader, Roh Moo-hyun, regardless of ideology or 
political faction. 
 
Let us ponder what he tried to say in deciding to leap to his death. 
 If Korean society falls into conflict and chaos instead, we are 
likely to lose even more than our former national leader.  The world 
is watching the Republic of Korea.  In a mature and harmonious 
atmosphere, we should send President Roh Moo-hyun off with respect, 
conveying the heartfelt sympathy of the whole nation. 
 
(This is a translation provided by the newspaper, and it is 
identical to the Korean version.) 
 
 
ON THE POLITICAL MURDER OF ROH 
(Hankyoreh Shinmun, May 25, 2009, Page 23) 
 
"Many people have suffered because of me.  I cannot imagine the 
suffering they and I will go through in the future, too." 
 
In these two lines in the suicide note left by the late President 
Roh Moo-hyun, we can fathom how great the pressure and suffering was 
that he had to endure since leaving office.  The core of this was 
caused by suspicions of corruption related to Taekwang Industrial 
 
SEOUL 00000826  006 OF 014 
 
 
Chairman Park Yeon-cha.  As a result of this scandal, Roh's family 
members were virtually ruined, and people that had formerly stood by 
Roh were hurt, also. 
 
It is customary that punishment follows if corruption is discovered, 
but one cannot erase the impression that in the Park Yeon-cha case, 
it proceeded in exactly the opposite way.  This case unfolded with a 
set objective to get Roh, and (thereafter) various public organs 
began engaging in crossfire.  Many observers say that the "strange" 
behavior of the tax authorities and prosecutors in relation to the 
Park case resulted in a "political murder." 
 
The Park case began with an audit of Taekwang Industrial (company) 
conducted in July of last year.  The responsible organ for this 
audit was the 4th Inspection Bureau of the Seoul Regional Tax 
Office, which handles real estate speculation and complex matters 
where various forms of business intersect.  Agents boasting the 
greatest investigative power were unprecedentedly dispatched to the 
headquarters of the medium-sized company of no more than 500 billion 
Won in sales a year located in Gimhae, Gyeongsangnam-do.  Even 
within the National Tax Service (NTS), there were people claiming 
that Han Sang-yool, the head of the NTS at the time who was seeking 
reappointment, was conducting a "political investigation" to curry 
favor with the Lee Myung-bak Administration.  It is said Han 
directly reported details discovered by the 4th Inspection Bureau 
regarding the money transactions between former President Roh's side 
and Park to President Lee. 
 
The Felony Bureau of the Supreme Prosecutor's Office launched its 
investigation of Park late last year and, starting in March of this 
year, they began a full-scale investigation of Roh, adding eight 
prosecutors to ten who were already participating in the 
investigation.  Prosecutors had explained they were boosting the 
number of investigators because they were being used to support the 
arraignment of other cases, including the fire sale of Korea 
Exchange Bank (KEB), stock manipulation in the takeover of KEB's 
credit card unit, and lobbying charges against Jo Pung-Eon in 
relation to Daewoo Information Systems who had been found not guilty 
by lower courts.  However, it has been revealed that the number of 
investigators was increased during the course of the investigation 
in order to get Roh.  Unlike a traditional special investigation, 
which seeks to precisely and quickly cut out only the infected part, 
prosecutors rampaged with a "gotcha" investigation that shook the 
rugs until the dust flew. 
 
In this regard, we can say the case of late President Roh was the 
most unfortunate in South Korean history, brought about by the Lee 
Myung-bak Administration, which despised the person more than the 
crime. President Roh's death should serve as an opportunity to end 
political retaliation led by the authorities. 
 
* We have compared the English version on the website with the 
Korean version and added the last sentence to make them identical. 
 
 
LET ROH REST IN PEACE 
(Chosun Ilbo, May 25, 2009, Page 35) 
 
The government has decided to conduct a public funeral for former 
President Roh Moo-hyun, who died Saturday, after a seven-day 
mourning period.  Roh's ashes will be buried in Bongha Village in 
accordance with the wishes of the family.  This will be the second 
public funeral for an ex-president following Choi Kyu-ha's in 2006. 
Family funerals were held for former Presidents Syngman Rhee and Yun 
Po-son, and a state funeral for Ex-President Park Chung-hee. 
 
Mourners are lining up to pay their respects to Roh at an altar at 
Bongha Village Hall and at makeshift memorials set up across the 
country.  President Lee Myung-bak is reportedly scheduled to visit 
the Bongha Village Hall altar to pay his respect.  Condolence calls 
are underway across the country, mostly peacefully, though some Roh 
supporters turned away Prime Minister Han Seong-soo and Liberty 
Forward Party Chairman Lee Hoi-chang on Saturday and National 
Assembly Speaker Kim Hyung-o on Sunday.  They threw eggs and water 
 
SEOUL 00000826  007 OF 014 
 
 
bottles at a bus carrying Lee Hoi-chang, who was forced to return 
home.  Rep. Chung Dong-young, who confronted Roh at the end of his 
tenure by dissolving the then Uri Party, was also prevented from 
visiting the altar and called a "traitor" but managed to visit the 
next day. 
 
Shocked as they were at the sudden death of Roh, it runs against the 
will of the departed for supporters to stop visitors or openly 
disgrace mourners.  Those who were either Roh's political rivals or 
confronted Roh from different political positions, too, went there 
because they feel sorry for his unexpected death and to pray for the 
repose of his soul. 
 
It was also inappropriate for members of Roh's support group Nosamo 
to force a KBS relay vehicle out of the memorial hall on grounds 
that reports were unfavorable, and questioned reporters about their 
companies and demanded ID.  If Nosamo has decided to assume 
voluntary services during the funeral, members must display the 
requisite courtesy.  Conducting a signature campaign impeaching the 
Lee Myung-bak Administration at some makeshift memorials also goes 
against the spirit of decent mourning. 
 
Roh's abrupt death brings home how vain the rise and fall of power 
is and how futile it is to nurse hatred and conflict in pursuit of 
them.  Roh himself said in his will, "Aren't life and death both 
part of nature?  Don't blame anybody."  He would not have wished his 
own death to cause more political confusion and social conflict. 
 
It stands to reason that the living, through his unforeseen death, 
should renew their determination to put an end to the chains of the 
bad karma South Korean politics has shouldered over the past 
half-century, and pray that Roh may enjoy the peace in heaven that 
he could not find in this world.  Let us hope that the funeral will 
offer an occasion to bring about not more division into "us" and 
"them" but an atmosphere where we can look back on the pain of 
others as our own. 
 
(This is a translation provided by the newspaper, and it is 
identical to the Korean version.) 
 
 
NEW CRISIS, CALM RESPONSE 
(JoongAng Ilbo, May 26, 2009, Page 42) 
 
North Korea has conducted its second nuclear test, an act that has 
drastically changed the security environment on and around the 
Korean Peninsula.  In the past, the international community has not 
officially admitted that North Korea possesses nuclear weapons. 
Now, like it or not, it has to regard the communist country as a 
nuclear state. 
 
The countries of Northeast Asia have long expressed the hope that 
North Korea would give up its nuclear weapons and programs.  Other 
countries in other regions of the world share this view. 
 
But until the North gives up its nuclear programs and weapons, the 
international community will continue to intensify its response, and 
aid to North Korea will no longer be offered.  That will only serve 
to increase the hardships faced by North Korean citizens, increasing 
resentment against their leaders.  The nuclear test has also ruined 
North Korea's plans to become a so-called "strong and prosperous 
state" by 2012. 
 
We are in serious trouble.  The fact that North Korea has become a 
nuclear state poses a grave threat to our national security.  We 
need to reexamine and reorganize our security measures immediately. 
Although our conventional weapons are much stronger than North 
Korea's, they are useless before a nuclear weapon.  Since we are not 
in a position to possess nuclear weapons immediately, we have no 
choice but to entirely depend on the U.S. nuclear umbrella. 
 
We must further enhance the South Korea-U.S. alliance.  At the South 
Korea-U.S. summit scheduled for next month, we should request 
President Barack Obama to reconfirm an agreement to offer the U.S. 
 
SEOUL 00000826  008 OF 014 
 
 
nuclear umbrella to South Korea. 
 
The Kaesong Industrial Complex could now become a place where 
hostages are held in order to threaten South Korea, rather than a 
frontier where our companies and workers can lay the groundwork for 
future inter-Korean relations.  Even though the Kaesong complex does 
not need to close immediately, we must be prepared to deal with the 
worst.  Since North Korea has gone ahead with its second nuclear 
test, the chance that it will give up its nuclear weapons and 
programs has grown ever more distant. 
 
Still, it's the goal we can never give up.  It will be impossible to 
achieve lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula, not to mention 
reunification, if North Korea does not abandon its nuclear weapons 
and programs.  We need to do everything we can to make this a 
realit. 
 
North Korea's second nuclear test has changed the world.  But we 
must not panic or get overwhelmed.  The government and the people 
must work together to respond to this new crisis in a calm and 
rational way. 
(This is a translation provided by the newspaper, and it is 
identical to the Korean version.) 
 
 
¶S. KOREA MAY NEED ITS OWN DETERRENT 
(Chosun Ilbo, May 26, 2009, Page 31) 
 
North Korea said Monday that it "successfully" conducted another 
underground nuclear test.  Despite warnings and efforts by the 
international community to dissuade it, North Korea conducted its 
first nuclear test on Oct. 9, 2006 and a second test now.  It also 
launched three short-range missiles.  The same day, the (North 
Korean) state-run news agencies reported that North Korean leader 
Kim Jong-il sent a telegram of condolence to former South Korean 
President Roh Moo-hyun's family. 
 
The U.S. and South Korean governments sensed an artificial seismic 
wave measuring 4.5 on the Richter scale at around 9:45 a.m. on 
Monday in Kilju, North Hamgyong Province.  The first nuclear test in 
2006 created a seismic wave measuring 3.6.  The one-point difference 
on the Richter scale signifies at least a 10-fold increase in the 
intensity of explosion.  North Korea's nuclear test created a 
seismic wave around 0.9 points stronger than the original test. 
U.S. officials say the size of the first nuclear test was equivalent 
to 1 kt of dynamite, while the second test is estimated equivalent 
to more than 2 to 3 kt.  The power of the atomic bombs that were 
dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan just before the end of 
World War II in 1945 was around 15 kt and 22 kt. 
 
The long-range rocket North Korea launched on April 5 flew 3,200 km. 
 The effective range had almost doubled compared to the first 
missile launched in 1998, which flew a distance of 1,620 km.  This 
year, in other words, North Korea has succeeded in more than 
doubling the power of its nuclear weapons and long-range missiles. 
It is still too early to conclude that the nuclear weapon and 
long-range missile capabilities are in their final stage of 
completion.  The power of its nuclear weapon lags far behind the 
atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima 64 years ago, while in three 
separate tests, its long-range missile fell far short of the 7,000 
km to 8,000 km range considered the standard for intercontinental 
ballistic missiles.  But if North Korea continues its tests without 
any limitations, we will soon face a country that has a nuclear 
warhead on an intercontinental ballistic missile. 
 
It would then be in a completely different class from South Korea. 
It would want to be treated as a nuclear power by the international 
community, and U.S. treatment would also change.  North Korea has 
already demanded to be treated as a nuclear state during the 
Six-Party Talks and through other channels.  If it was, it would no 
longer try to recognize South Korea as an equal and would attempt to 
alter the fate of the South by touting its superiority on the Korean 
Peninsula. 
 
 
SEOUL 00000826  009 OF 014 
 
 
U.S. President Barack Obama issued a statement accusing North Korea 
of "directly and recklessly challenging the international 
community."  The South Korean government said the nuclear test was 
an "intolerable act of provocation."  The U.S. and South Korean 
governments, along with Japan, plan to pursue a new resolution 
imposing sanctions on North Korea.  The nuclear test is a clear 
violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1718, which bars the 
North from conducting further tests, necessitating new measures from 
the council. 
 
But UN sanctions so far have not been effective, and North Korea has 
scoffed at them.  China, which holds the key to deciding the 
intensity of sanctions, was angry about the first nuclear test, 
calling it a "reckless" act.  But following the second nuclear test, 
the Chinese government in foreign ministerial talks in Hanoi, 
Vietnam (only) said it would "objectively monitor the situation." 
North Korea is believed to have given the U.S. and Chinese 
governments advance notice of its nuclear test.  This means that 
North Korea is hoping to resume talks with Washington by playing a 
strategic game. 
 
Although South Korea is under desperate threat from North Korea's 
possession of nuclear weapons and intercontinental ballistic 
missiles, there is no way for the ROK to take substantial 
countermeasures against North Korea's nuclear and missile threats 
because Seoul is bound by the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, the 
Missile Technology Control Regime, and the ROK-U.S. Memorandum of 
Understanding on missiles.  North Korea claims its rationale for 
having nuclear weapons is to defend itself.  Under North Korea's 
nuclear and missile threat, the ROK now needs "deterrence for 
self-defense."  If the day comes when the republic and the lives of 
its citizens are threatened, we must confront the problems posed by 
North Korea's nuclear weapons and ICBMs by realizing that we can no 
longer accept the limitations of international treaties. 
 
(This is a translation provided by the newspaper, and it is 
identical to the Korean version.) 
 
 
REAFFIRMING EFFORTS TO RESOLVE THE N. KOREA NUCLEAR ISSUE 
(Hankyoreh Shinmun, May 26, 2009, Page 23) 
 
North Korea pushed through with an underground nuclear test 
yesterday morning.  Its brinkmanship strategy has reached new 
heights and has been getting stronger over the last couple of months 
with the termination of the nuclear disablement process and the 
restart of fuel rod reprocessing.  If the situation does not change, 
it could lead to additional provocations. 
 
This nuclear test was not unexpected.  North Korea issued a warning 
through a Foreign Ministry Spokesperson's statement on April 29 that 
it would conduct a nuclear test, test launch an intercontinental 
ballistic missile or build a light water reactor.  At the time, 
North Korea placed unrealistic conditions on its threat, demanding 
an immediate apology from the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) 
for issuing a president's statement condemning North Korea's rocket 
launch.  It used this to justify pushing through with the nuclear 
test.  Nevertheless, yesterday's nuclear test seemed sudden.  More 
than anything, the timing seemed sudden.  Experts had been 
predicting it would conduct the test sometime after June or July. 
 
As a result of North Korea's nuclear test and its failure to heed 
the international community's unanimous warnings, discussion of 
sanctions have now become unavoidable.  The test was a direct 
violation of UNSC Resolution 1718 which was adopted after North 
Korea's first nuclear test in October 2006.  The resolution condemns 
that test, and imposes sanctions and strict demands on North Korea 
not to conduct further nuclear tests.  Despite full awareness of 
these demands, North Korea conducted a nuclear test anyway.  It is 
appropriate for North Korea to now take responsibility. 
 
It is also time to take a serious look at how the situation has 
developed to this point.  Although the Barack Obama Administration 
has adopted a big picture approach favoring comprehensive direct 
 
SEOUL 00000826  010 OF 014 
 
 
negotiations with North Korea, it has dragged its feet over coming 
up with specific measures.  One could say that North Korea's rocket 
launch has a negative effect on U.S. policies, but it is also true 
that the U.S.'s relaxed attitude contributed to aggravating the 
situation.  In particular, several members of the U.S. government 
have been demonstrating an attitude of benign neglect, believing 
that once North Korea has played all its cards, it would come (to 
the table) for talks.  This means that the U.S. seemed to consider 
the nuclear test as an established fact, and not a thing to be 
prevented through negotiations. 
 
It is clear that one of the major objectives in North Korea's pledge 
to strengthen its nuclear deterrent is to boost its negotiating 
strength.  However, negotiations to resolve the North Korea nuclear 
issue cannot happen without effort.  An appropriate framework for 
talks is needed and participating nations need to possess firm 
intentions.  An approach of benign neglect that is not accompanied 
by a comprehensive plan makes launching negotiations difficult. 
Waiting indefinitely is not a satisfactory approach.  Things become 
difficult to reverse once measures are taken that make the situation 
worse. 
 
Efforts to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue have now reached a 
clear turning point.  We need to move quickly towards putting a 
concrete negotiating plan together in place of empty rhetoric (that 
calls for) negotiations combined with pressure on North Korea.  In 
particular, efforts need to be made before next month's summit 
between South Korea and the U.S.  The U.S. must act immediately 
after it has finished reviewing and developing its new North Korea 
policy, and South Korea must regain a leading role in efforts to 
resolve the nuclear issue and inter-Korean relations.  Everyone 
loses if they just stand on the sidelines and neglect the situation 
like they are doing now. 
 
(This is a translation provided by the newspaper, and it is 
identical to the Korean version.) 
 
 
IS N. KOREA DETERMINED TO LIVE WITH NUKES? 
(Dong-a Ilbo, May 26, 2009, Page 31) 
 
North Korea conducted its second nuclear test yesterday, a 
provocation which violates an inter-Korean agreement on 
denuclearization, a Six-Party agreement, and U.N. Security Council 
Resolution 1718.  After the test, Pyongyang said, "This will 
contribute to guaranteeing peace and security on the Korean 
Peninsula and its neighboring region."  It is loathsome to hear the 
North's argument after such risky actions.   In addition to the 
nuclear test, (North Korea) also launched missiles. 
 
The latest nuclear test displayed Pyongyang's clear intention to 
become a major military power by 2012 on the basis of its 
"military-first" policy.  Yesterday's test came after the North's 
launch of its Taepodong-2 missile last month.  The North's next step 
is clear: reducing the size of a nuclear weapon in order to load it 
onto a missile. 
 
The Russian Defense Ministry said the North's nuclear explosion had 
a force of 20 kilotons, 40 times bigger than Pyongyang's test three 
years ago.  Admittedly, the North has become a bigger threat but it 
is hugely mistaken if it believes it can wield power over the 
international community.  The world cannot tolerate Pyongyang's 
nuclear development indefinitely.  U.S. President Barack Obama said, 
"North Korea is directly and recklessly challenging the 
international community. North Korea will not find international 
acceptance unless it abandons the pursuit of weapons of mass 
destruction and their means of delivery."  The South Korean 
government issued a statement through the National Security Council 
calling the test an "unacceptable provocation." 
 
South Korea must learn from what happened between the North's first 
nuclear test in 2006 and this one.  The U.N. Security Council passed 
a resolution imposing sanctions on the North, but failed to prevent 
another test.  The Six-Party Talks have been useless.  The United 
 
SEOUL 00000826  011 OF 014 
 
 
States and the international community must recognize that they 
cannot prevent the North's nuclear armament through talks.  Seoul, 
Washington and other Six-Party participants must cooperate closely 
and set a specific action plan.  China and Russia must regret their 
failure to block the nuclear test because they lowered their 
(Security Council) responses after North Korea's last rocket 
provocation to presidential statements, and must do their best to 
promote global peace as permanent members of the U.S. Security 
Council. 
 
Pyongyang seems to believe that it can maintain its authoritarian 
system with nuclear weapons.  But North Korean leader Kim Jong-il 
and his ruling elite must realize that pouring money into nuclear 
weapons and missile development without caring for their hungry 
people will lead to their country collapsing from internal factors. 
 
In South Korea, the country needs more than bipartisan efforts at a 
time when national security is threatened.  But the main opposition 
Democratic Party has regrettably issued a statement blaming the 
latest nuclear test on the Lee Myung-bak Administration's Cold 
War-like policy toward North Korea.  However, North Korea conducted 
its first nuclear test during the (previous) Roh Moo-hyun 
Administration.  How can it be explained?  It is an irresponsible 
political offensive to blame North Korea's nuclear test, a grave 
threat to security, on the (current) South Korean government. 
 
* We have compared the English version on the website with the 
Korean version and added the last three sentences to make them 
identical. 
 
 
WASHINGTON MUST TAKE INITIATIVE TO SAVE KOREA-U.S. FTA 
(Chosun Ilbo, May 25, 2009, Page 35) 
 
Referring to the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement, Korean Trade 
Minister Kim Jong-hoon said on Friday, "The U.S. side must offer a 
solution first, and it should be one that we can accept and does not 
damage the existing balance of gains for both sides."  Kim added, 
"It does not make sense to try to make amends to the agreement 
already settled by both sides.  It is up to the U.S. government, 
which raised the issue, to decide on what should be done outside of 
the agreement." 
 
As Kim said, it is up to the U.S. government to resolve the problems 
surrounding ratifying the Korea-U.S. free trade agreement, which has 
been gathering dust for two years since it was first agreed in April 
2007, and putting the agreement into effect.  Braving physical 
clashes between ruling and opposition parties, a standing committee 
at the Korean National Assembly passed the bilateral free trade pact 
and submitted it to the plenary session of parliament for 
ratification.  But in the United States, the FTA has not yet even 
been presented before Congress. 
 
Until now, the U.S. Congress and the Administration of President 
Barack Obama have been seeking a renegotiation of the bilateral 
pact, claiming that the results of trade negotiations in beef and 
automobiles were disadvantageous to American industries.  But 
recently, the U.S. Meat Export Federation said it would not ask 
Congress to reopen beef talks with Korea.  And the U.S. auto 
industry, which is turning to government aid for survival after 
being driven to bankruptcy due to "excessive" welfare benefits for 
its unionized workers and irresponsible management, is in no 
position to complain that the FTA with Korea is unfair. 
 
Fortunately, there are signs of change within the United States. 
President Obama told Korea's Ambassador to Washington Han Duck-soo 
that the trade pact with Korea, the seventh-largest U.S. trading 
partner, would strengthen and promote prosperity for the people of 
both countries.  It was a shift from the stance President Obama 
demonstrated while running for presidency.  At that time, he 
referred to the pact as being unfair to American automotive 
companies.  U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk also said recently 
that expanded trade through already-signed and new free trade 
agreements is needed, in order for the U.S. and global economies to 
 
SEOUL 00000826  012 OF 014 
 
 
recover quickly.  It is now time for the United States to put those 
words into action and realize the principles of free trade. 
 
(This is a translation provided by the newspaper, and it is 
identical to the Korean version.) 
 
 
SUMMIT SHOULD SEEK PROGRESS IN KOREA-US FTA 
(Dong-a Ilbo, May 23, 2009, Page 27) 
 
U.S. President Barack Obama said in a meeting with Korean Ambassador 
to Washington Han Duck-soo Wednesday that a free trade agreement 
with Korea, the seventh-largest U.S. trading partner, will 
strengthen and promote prosperity for the people of both countries. 
At a summit in London last month, President Obama also expressed his 
strong desire to make progress in concluding free trade agreements. 
Although he has talked about principles, the President's comments 
suggest that he has significantly changed his attitude toward free 
trade given his previous negative comments about the Korea-U.S. 
deal. 
 
The atmosphere is also improving on U.S. beef imports, a major 
stumbling block in congressional ratification of the accord.  Joel 
Haggard, Senior Vice President of the U.S. Meat Export Federation, 
complained that the sale of U.S. beef in Korea has not met his 
expectations, but his attitude was softer than in the past.  The 
change of attitude will likely help facilitate the congressional 
approval process. 
 
It is premature to be optimistic, however.  Quite a few officials in 
the Obama Administration and Congress say the Korea-U.S. accord is 
unfavorable to the U.S. car industry.  House Trade Subcommittee 
Chairman Sandy Levin and House Committee on Ways and Means Chairman 
Charles Rangel say they will not move a step forward without 
resolving automotive trade issues.  Tim Reif, General Counsel for 
the (Office of the) U.S. Trade Representative, holds a similar view. 
 
 
Revising the free trade agreement is unacceptable for Korea.  The 
two countries can, however, consider ways to seek a mutually 
beneficial solution by making additional deals without changing the 
existing agreement.  Korean Trade Minister Kim Jong-hoon said 
yesterday, "There is no rewriting the agreement that has already 
been signed."  He also noted, however, that Washington should first 
propose a new solution acceptable to Korea and something that does 
not hurt the balance of interest that has been reached. 
 
The trade committee of Korea`s National Assembly has approved the 
agreement for deliberation at the main parliamentary session. 
Washington should also try to advance ratification, which will 
promote bilateral trade, employment and alliance. 
 
The June 16 Korea-U.S. summit in Washington is an opportunity for 
the two allies to take a big step toward ratifying the trade pact 
and putting it into force.  Seoul should also continue to take full 
advantage of its diplomatic and private channels to help facilitate 
congressional ratification of the agreement. 
 
(This is a translation provided by the newspaper, and it is 
identical to the Korean version.) 
 
 
FEATURES 
-------- 
 
U.S. CONFIRMS INTENTION TO "SELL GLOBAL HAWK TO ROK" 
(Dong-a Ilbo, May 23, 2009, Page 8; Excerpts) 
 
By Reporter Yoon Sang-ho 
 
The U.S. has decided to sell the Global Hawk Unmanned Aerial 
Vehicles (UAV) to the ROK, but the ROK military authorities have 
decided to delay purchasing them, drawing attention to the reason 
why. 
 
SEOUL 00000826  013 OF 014 
 
 
 
According to a military source, the U.S. Department of Defense 
delivered its final decision to sell the Global Hawk vehicles to the 
ROK during the 22nd Security Policy Initiative (SPI) meeting, which 
was held in Washington on May 14.  This U.S. stance on this issue 
stands in stark contrast to its position during the Roh Moo-hyun 
Administration.  In June, 2005, when the ROK Ministry of National 
Defense expressed its intention to buy the Global Hawk system for 
independent intelligence gathering after the transfer of wartime 
operational control, the U.S. did not approve the sale out of 
concern about key technology leakage.  Since then, officials of the 
Defense Ministry and the Defense Acquisition Program Administration 
have repeatedly asked the U.S. to sell the system, but the U.S. has 
not budged an inch. 
 
The main reason for that was the rocky relationship between the ROK 
and the U.S. during the Roh Administration.  However, after 
President Lee Myung-bak took office and started to restore the 
health of the alliance with the U.S., Washington began displaying a 
different attitude. 
 
This time, however, the ROK military has postponed introducing the 
Global Hawk vehicle until 2015.  Instead, it has decided to develop 
mid-altitude UAVs on its own.  The ROK military leadership 
reportedly said that since the U.S. will provide the ROK with 
sufficient intelligence on North Korea even after the transfer of 
the wartime operational control, the ROK does not need to buy the 
Global Hawk system.  However, some observers say that the ROK 
military should accelerate the introduction of the system because 
the deployment of the mid-altitude UAV is not possible until 2015, 
and it is not guaranteed that the U.S. will share all intelligence 
on the North with the ROK. 
 
 
KIM JONG-IL NEEDS NUCLEAR WEAPONS NOT FOR NEGOTIATIONS BUT FOR 
SURVIVAL 
(JoongAng Ilbo, May 26, 2009, Page 3; Excerpts) 
 
By Senior Columnist Kim Young-hie 
 
News Analysis 
 
Judging from the fact that North Korea is putting two U.S. reporters 
on trial and has conducted nuclear test and missile launches at the 
same time, even the severest sanctions, such as the freeze on North 
Korea's bank account at Banco Delta Asia in 2006, will not make the 
North give up its plan to sustain the regime through nuclear 
possession. 
 
It seems that after North Korean leader Kim Jong-il suffered health 
problems last summer, the North Korean military authorities gained a 
much bigger voice (over internal affairs) and, as a result, the 
North Korean policy of resorting to nuclear possession as a means of 
regime survival overrode a policy (originally) approved by Kim 
Jong-il to implement the denuclearization agreements and normalize 
diplomatic ties with the U.S. 
 
It appears certain that Kim Jong-il is preparing to transfer power 
to his third son Jong-un.  It is not sure yet what position Jong-un 
will hold when Kim Jong-il is no longer able to rule the communist 
state.  However, it is possible to predict that Kim Jong-il may have 
judged that leaving his son a nation armed with nuclear weapons and 
long-range missiles is a much safer strategy for survival than 
trying to improve and normalize ties with the ROK, the U.S. and 
Japan. 
 
Strong sanctions against North Korea through the UN Security Council 
are essential.  Now, the UNSC has no choice but to seek all possible 
sanctions within its power.  Complementary sanctions by individual 
nations, such as Japan, are also necessary.  What is most important 
here is China's participation in sanctions.  At the ROK-U.S. summit 
in June, cooperation with China should be intensively discussed. 
 
Even if North Korea is on the way to becoming a full-fledged nuclear 
 
SEOUL 00000826  014 OF 014 
 
 
state, are inter-Korean talks worth pursuing?  The answer is "Yes." 
The nuclear issue is part of inter-Korean relations.  Establishing 
inter-Korean ties, which go beyond the nuclear issue to cover a 
broader range of Korean issues, should be the basis of Seoul's new 
policy toward North Korea. 
 
While continuously seeking dialogue with North Korea, the ROK should 
also discuss with Washington how to maintain and strengthen the 
U.S.'s nuclear umbrella over the ROK and how to use the Missile 
Defense systems of the U.S. and Japan.  Meanwhile, from a long- and 
mid-term perspective, the ROK should consider establishing its own 
missile defense system, which could shoot down North Korea's 
short-range missiles, based on cooperation with the U.S. and China's 
understanding. 
 
 
STEPHENS