VZCZCXRO3575
RR RUEHGH
DE RUEHUL #0839 1470725
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 270725Z MAY 09
FM AMEMBASSY SEOUL
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4461
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC 8604
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 6030
RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 9769
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 5941
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
RHHMUNA/USCINCPAC HONOLULU HI
RUEHGH/AMCONSUL SHANGHAI 0738
RUEHSH/AMCONSUL SHENYANG 4447
RUEHIN/AIT TAIPEI 3420
RUEHGP/AMEMBASSY SINGAPORE 6616
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 1010
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 2347
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 1421
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 2030

UNCLAS SEOUL 000839 
 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR ECON KPAO KMDR KS US
SUBJECT: SEOUL - MEDIA REACTION 
 
East Asia and Pacific: DPRK 
--------------------------- 
 
"CHINA CAN ONLY GAIN FROM BEING TOUGH ON N. KOREA" 
 
Conservative Chosun Ilbo editorialized (05/27): "There is a limit to 
getting North Korea to give up its nuclear program by relying on the 
power of the U.S. alone.  If the military option is taken off the 
table, then the options in terms of punishment and pressure are 
limited.  This makes China's role all the more important, since 
China is the North's largest trading partner and food and energy 
provider.  Unless China participates proactively, any international 
sanctions against North Korea will not be successful, nor will any 
UN Security Council resolution (on North Korea) be meaningful.  ... 
Beijing will not be able to ignore the fact that Japan, which has 
been wary of China's growing military might, has used North Korea's 
provocation as an excuse to bolster its own military power. 
Deterring North Korea from triggering an anachronistic arms race 
will also serve China's security interests." 
 
 
"STANDING UP TO PROVOCATION" 
 
Right-of-center JoongAng Ilbo editorial 
ized (05/27): "North Korea has gone beyond the international 
community's tolerance and patience.  Its provocative actions are 
threatening peace and the global order.  It is high time the 
international community taught the North a lesson. ... Much of the 
work of persuading the North will fall to China to exert its 
influence over its long-time communist partner." 
 
 
"'POST-PSI PARTICIPATION' SITUATION IS MORE IMPORTANT" 
 
Moderate Hankook Ilbo editorialized (05/27): "The prevailing 
analysis is that North Korea is citing Washington and Seoul's 
hostile policies as its excuse (for the latest provocations) but 
that the North is taking such hard-line steps in order to shore up 
its regime and achieve a 'powerful and prosperous nation.'  This 
move by the North will not change as long as the crisis of the 
regime, such as leader Kim Jong-il's ill health, continues. 
Therefore, this is not the time to engage in a lengthy dispute over 
the ROK's PSI participation, but instead it is time to respond 
resolutely to North Korea's exaggerated protests and threats, while 
keeping tensions from escalating into a crisis." 
 
 
"FULL PARTICIPATION IN PSI AND WORSENING INTER-KOREAN RELATIONS" 
Left-leaning Hankyoreh Shinmun editorialized (05/27): "It is 
appropriate to hold North Korea accountable for conducting a second 
nuclear test following its long-range rocket launch.  ...  However, 
the most critical thing to do now is to find a solution.  North 
Korea's second nuclear test indicates that it is moving closer to 
becoming a fully-fledged nuclear-armed state.  North Korea's rise as 
a nuclear state will create a tense situation, threatening regional 
security and peace.  Historically, North Korea's nuclear 
capabilities have grown stronger during times of pressure and 
sanctions and weaker during times of dialogue and negotiations.  ... 
Even if one gets angry at North Korea's provocations, dialogue 
remains the most realistic option." 
 
 
STEPHENS