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Viewing cable 09SEOUL877, SEOUL - PRESS BULLETIN; June 3, 2009

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Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
09SEOUL877 2009-06-03 06:58 2011-08-26 00:00 UNCLASSIFIED Embassy Seoul
VZCZCXRO9063
OO RUEHGH
DE RUEHUL #0877/01 1540658
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 030658Z JUN 09
FM AMEMBASSY SEOUL
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4554
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC 8663
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC//DDI/OEA//
RHHMUNA/USCINCPAC HONOLULU HI//FPA//
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC
RUEKDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC//DB-Z//
RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 9812
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 6006
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 6094
RUEHGH/AMCONSUL SHANGHAI 0799
RUEHSH/AMCONSUL SHENYANG 4507
RUEHIN/AIT TAIPEI 3482
RUEHGP/AMEMBASSY SINGAPORE 6678
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 1049
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 2386
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 1460
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 2069
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 08 SEOUL 000877 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR ECON KPAO KS US
SUBJECT: SEOUL - PRESS BULLETIN; June 3, 2009 
 
TOP HEADLINES 
------------- 
 
 
Chosun Ilbo 
U.S. Experts: "Punitive Measures Should be Sought to Hurt N. Korea" 
 
JoongAng Ilbo 
ROK Deploys High-Speed Patrol Ship 
Equipped with Guided Missles along Western Sea Border 
 
Dong-a Ilbo 
Deputy USFK Commander Jeffrey Remington: "Global Hawk High-Altitude 
Unmanned Aerial Reconnaissance System 
Will Soon Be Deployed to USFK" 
 
Hankook Ilbo, Segye Ilbo 
N. Korea Preparing to Fire Three or Four 
Medium-Range Missiles 
 
Hankyoreh Shinmun 
USG Allegedly Protests ROKG's Press Remarks - that the Object (N. 
Korea Seems to be Preparing to Launch) is "Certainly an ICBM"- 
Arguing that ROKG "Over-interpreted 
Sensitive Intelligence" 
 
Seoul Shinmun 
ROKG to Introduce Laser-Guided "Bunker Busters" Next Year, which 
will Enable Military to Penetrate Deep into Fortified Bunkers or 
Underground Compounds 
 
 
DOMESTIC DEVELOPMENTS 
--------------------- 
 
A U.S. delegation led by Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg 
arrived in Seoul yesterday to discuss a response to North Korea's 
latest nuclear test. (All) Deputy Secretary Steinberg was quoted 
upon arrival that (the U.S.) wants "strong and unified" action 
against North Korea. (Chosun, JoongAng, Segye, Seoul, all TVs) 
 
The Deputy USFK Commander, Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Remington, said in a 
June 1 interview that USFK is fully ready to suppress and defeat 
acts of North Korean aggression. He also said that USFK will soon 
retire high-altitude U-2 reconnaissance planes in operation and 
deploy ultra-high altitude unmanned reconnaissance planes, or Global 
Hawks, to introduce high-tech weapons more extensively (to the 
peninsula). (Dong-a) 
 
According to a source knowledgeable about military affairs, the USG 
has lodged strong protest against the ROKG for disclosing to the 
media sensitive military intelligence regarding North Korea's 
apparent preparations to launch another long-range missile. There is 
also suspicion that, with this disclosure, the ROKG may have 
intended to divert public attention away from the death of former 
President Roh Moo-hyun. (Hankyoreh) 
 
According to ROK lawmakers, the National Intelligence Service told 
the National Assembly on June 1 that North Korean leader Kim Jong-il 
picked his third son, Jong-un, as his successor and that Pyongyang 
sent a diplomatic document to that effect to its overseas missions 
shortly after the North's second nuclear test on May 25. (Chosun, 
Hankyoreh, Segye, Seoul) 
 
 
INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENTS 
-------------------------- 
 
According to military authorities, North Korea appears to be 
preparing to test-fire three or four medium-range missiles on its 
east coast. (All) 
 
 
SEOUL 00000877  002 OF 008 
 
 
 
MEDIA ANALYSIS 
-------------- 
 
-North Korea 
------------ 
 
- Deputy Secretary Steinberg's Visit 
Most ROK media gave play to yesterday's arrival in Seoul of a U.S. 
delegation led by Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg to 
discuss a response to North Korea's latest nuclear test. 
 
Conservative Chosun Ilbo, right-of-center JoongAng Ilbo, and 
moderate Seoul Shinmun quoted Deputy Secretary Steinberg's press 
remarks upon arrival: "(We) want strong and unified action against 
North Korea." 
 
JoongAng further quoted Deputy Secretary Steinberg as saying in 
response to a question whether the U.S. is considering 
single-handedly imposing financial sanctions on North Korea: "No, 
quite the contrary.  The U.S. is working very closely with all our 
partners in the region." 
 
- Missile Activities 
All ROK media gave prominent play to ROK military authorities' June 
2 report to the National Assembly on North Korea's apparent 
preparations to test-fire three or four medium-range missiles on its 
east coast. 
 
Most media noted that this North Korean move comes close on the 
heels of reports that North Korea has moved what appears to be an 
intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) to its new "Dongchang-ri" 
launch site on the west coast.  The media speculated that this might 
indicate Pyongyang's intention to fire both mid and long-range 
missiles simultaneously. 
 
A ruling Grand National Party (GNP) lawmaker was quoted by KBS TV: 
"The medium-range missiles are believed to be Rodong missiles with a 
range of 1,300 km.  North Korea is highly likely to fire the ICBM 
from the Dongchang-ri site within the next few weeks." 
 
Referring to recent media reports that the ROKG told the media that 
the object (the North seems to be preparing to launch) "is certainly 
an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM)" and that the object 
has arrived at the North's new "Dongchang-ri" base, left-leaning 
Hankyoreh Shinmun front-paged a report citing a source knowledgeable 
about military affairs that the USG has lodged a strong protest 
against the ROKG for disclosing to the media sensitive military 
intelligence regarding North Korea's apparent preparations to launch 
another long-range missile. 
 
The Hankyoreh report went on to say that there is suspicion that, 
with this disclosure, the ROKG may have intended to divert public 
attention away from the death of former President Roh Moo-hyun. 
 
- Power Succession 
Citing ROK lawmakers, most ROK media carried front- and inside-page 
reports that the National Intelligence Service (NIS) told the 
National Assembly on June 1 that North Korean leader Kim Jong-il 
picked his third son, Jong-un, as his successor and that Pyongyang 
sent a diplomatic document to that effect to its overseas missions 
shortly after the North's second nuclear test on May 25. 
Newspapers noted that there has been a lot of speculation about Kim 
Jong-un's succession but that it is the first time that ROK 
authorities have confirmed the North's leadership change. 
Conservative Chosun Ilbo headlined its inside-page article: "NIS 
Suddenly Becomes Kind... It Voluntarily Tells Lawmakers about Kim 
Jong-un's Succession" 
 
Conservative Chosun Ilbo editorialized: "Our problem lies in how to 
respond to this irrational regime.  North Korea is, in the short 
term, very likely to stage provocations overseas to solidify its 
grip on power. ... For the medium term, the ROKG should review its 
North Korea policy. ... The ROKG should explore ways to come up with 
 
SEOUL 00000877  003 OF 008 
 
 
a new policy with a right mix of pressure and inducements in order 
to rein in this unpredictable and irrational regime.   In the long 
term, the ROKG should prepare for possible instability in North 
Korea which might follow or arise in the process of power transfer 
from Kim Jong-il to Kim Jong-un." 
Right-of-center JoongAng Ilbo, in an editorial entitled "Kim's 
Farcical Succession," argued: "The obsession with nuclear arms, 
missiles and other weapons of mass destruction is part of a 
malignant campaign to keep the Kim family in control.  Our North 
Korean policy should take a completely new direction if the 
hereditary succession is confirmed.  We can no longer consider North 
Korean leadership as a partner in seeking common prosperity and 
unification of the Korean Peninsula.  Our engagement ... should 
strictly focus on aid (to North Korean people) and encouraging them 
to bring light and change to the reclusive state." 
 
Conservative Dong-a Ilbo editorialized: "Kim Jong-un's nomination 
was made shortly after North Korea's rocket launch and its second 
nuclear test.  These actions seemed intended to solidify Kim 
Jong-un's power base by giving him credit for the saber-rattling 
that threatens world peace.  When Kim Jong-il was named heir 
apparent in 1974, the North had said that he took the lead in 
seizing the U.S. intelligence ship Pueblo in 1968 and shooting down 
a U.S. reconnaissance plane in 1969.  Given this precedent, the 
communist country will do anything to fabricate achievements by Kim 
Jong-un.  ... The power transfer will not be easy, however. Power 
struggles between Kim Jong-un and his two brothers could arise, and 
given the increasing number of North Korean defectors, North Koreans 
appear to oppose the hereditary power transfer.  It is also unclear 
whether the ailing Kim Jong-ill can protect his son and help him 
take power without problems." 
 
 
OPINIONS/EDITORIALS 
------------------- 
N. KOREA'S HEREDITARY POWER SUCCESSION 
(Dong-a Ilbo, June 3, 2009, Page 31) 
 
North Korea is seeking a hereditary power transfer spanning three 
generations, from the country's founder, Kim Il-sung, to his son, 
Kim Jong-il, and now to Kim Jong-il's youngest son, Jong-un. 
Pyongyang last week notified its foreign missions of the unofficial 
nomination of Kim Jong-un as the heir apparent, and urged its people 
to call him "Captain Kim" and sing songs praising him.  Beneath the 
veneer of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the Kim family 
is set to pass down its wealth and power from generation to 
generation. 
 
The hereditary succession of power in North Korea is detrimental to 
both peace on the Korean Peninsula and the Stalinist country's 
future.  Kim Il-sung triggered the Korean War in 1950, he and his 
son Kim Jong-il killed their southern brethren by orchestrating the 
1987 bombing of a (South) Korean Air flight, (they) ordered an 
assassination attempt  of former ROK President Park Chung-hee, and 
(also succeeded in arranging the killing a number of) high-ranking 
ROKG officials in Burma in 1983.  Under Kim Jong-il, the North has 
twice instigated military provocations in the Yellow Sea, which 
resulted in the deaths and injuries of ROK sailors.  The hereditary 
succession means the North will continue its belligerence and 
ambition to reunite the Koreas through communism. 
 
The North's recent behavior is similar to what happened when Kim 
Il-sung named Kim Jong-il his successor.  Kim Jong-un's nomination 
was made shortly after North Korea's rocket launch and its second 
nuclear test.  These actions seemed intended to solidify Kim 
Jong-un's power base by giving him credit for the saber-rattling 
that threatens world peace.  When Kim Jong-il was named heir 
apparent in 1974, the North had said that he took the lead in 
seizing the U.S. intelligence ship Pueblo in 1968 and shooting down 
a U.S. reconnaissance plane in 1969.  Given this precedent, the 
communist country will do anything to fabricate achievements by Kim 
Jong-un. 
 
The Kim family is the main source of adversity for the North Korean 
 
SEOUL 00000877  004 OF 008 
 
 
people.  The Kims have exploited the North's limited national 
resources to keep power and build up the military-all while letting 
the (North Korean) people starve to death and denying them freedom 
and human rights.  How long can this authoritarian, hereditary 
government, which has kept 23 million people in poverty, last? 
 
The power transfer will not be easy, however. Power struggles 
between Kim Jong-un and his two brothers could arise, and given the 
increasing number of North Korean defectors, North Koreans appear to 
oppose the hereditary power transfer.  It is also unclear whether 
the ailing Kim Jong-il can protect his son and help him take power 
without problems. 
 
Seoul, for its part, must prepare for potential provocations by 
Pyongyang that aim to support Kim Jong-un's succession.  The ROK 
must prevent chaos in the North from spreading throughout the Korean 
Peninsula. 
 
(This is a translation provided by the newspaper, and it is 
identical to the Korean version.) 
 
 
KIM'S FARCICAL SUCCESSION 
(JoongAng Ilbo, June 3, 2009, Page 39) 
 
It appears that North Korea's leader Kim Jong-il is poised to hand 
over the reins of power to his twenty-something son. 
 
According to intelligence reports, the elder Kim has proclaimed the 
youngest of his three sons, Jong-un, to be the successor to the 
family dynasty and has been calling for ceremonious declarations of 
loyalty to the heir-in-waiting. 
 
Some analysts believe the North's recent saber-rattling-testing a 
nuclear device and firing off short-range missiles-has been a 
showpiece for Jong-un's succession campaign. 
 
If true, North Korea will inevitably become an international 
laughingstock.  At no other point in history have we witnessed the 
farce of a hereditary power succession (in a communist nation). 
 
The possible power transfer only confirms that the North Korean 
regime has relinquished any hope of becoming a modern civilized 
state. 
 
North Koreans have no real rights since all the power is locked up 
within the Kim family dynasty. 
 
We saw this first when Kim Il-sung named his son Jong-il as his 
successor.  And now Jong-il has named his son. 
 
North Koreans have long been accustomed and perfectly happy to call 
themselves "the people of Kim Il-sung" and beneficiaries of "Kim 
Il-sung Socialism."  They have been manipulated, exploited and 
starved for more than half a decade, all in a bid to sustain the Kim 
legacy. 
 
Extending the North Korean family dynasty has only one impact on 
North Koreans.  They will suffer more hardship and continue to 
remain shackled until the Kim family dynasty falls. 
 
The obsession with nuclear arms, missiles and other weapons of mass 
destruction is part of a malignant campaign to keep the Kim family 
in control.  Our North Korean policy should take a completely new 
direction if the hereditary succession is confirmed.  We can no 
longer consider North Korean leadership as a partner in seeking 
common prosperity and unification of the Korean Peninsula.  Our 
engagement should be restricted to the North Korean people.  We must 
offer them relief and comfort. 
 
An engagement policy should strictly focus on aid (to North Korean 
people) and encouraging them to bring light and change to the 
reclusive state. 
 
 
SEOUL 00000877  005 OF 008 
 
 
We sincerely hope North Korea isn't serious about the power 
succession. 
 
(This is a translation provided by the newspaper, and it is 
identical to the Korean version.) 
 
 
MUST WE ENDURE A 3RD GENERATION OF THE KIM DYNASTY? 
(Chosun Ilbo, June 3, 2009, Page 39) 
 
North Korean leader Kim Jong-il appears to have appointed his third 
son, Jong-un, as his successor, the National Intelligence Service 
told the National Assembly Intelligence Committee on Monday.  On 
Feb. 25, the NIS had reported to lawmakers that North Korea is 
likely to undertake a third hereditary transfer of power. 
 
To ensure a smooth transfer, North Korea has made various strategic 
arrangements. 
 
The communist country's state-run Rodong Shinmun in an editorial on 
Feb. 16 forecast the hereditary transfer of power, saying that there 
was a "bright future" for the continuation of the revolutionary 
"Juche" ideology within the continuation of the "Mt. Baekdu 
lineage," referring to the alleged birthplace of Kim Jong-il at the 
symbolic mountain. 
 
On Feb. 11, North Korea revamped its military leadership, voted new 
officials into the country's rubberstamp Supreme People's Assembly 
on March 8 and revised its Constitution on April 9, along with the 
launch of the third term of Kim Jong-il's rule.  In conjunction with 
those developments, the North test-fired a long-range rocket on 
April 5 and conducted a second nuclear test on May 25.  All of these 
actions are designed to boost loyalty among North Koreans ahead of 
the transfer of power. 
 
At the age of 32 in 1974, Kim Jong-il was appointed as a political 
commissioner in the Workers' Party, where he began strengthening his 
support base.  After a 20-year apprenticeship there, he became the 
leader (of North Korea) in 1994 following the death of (his father), 
Kim Il-sung. Jong-un, who is 26, will assume the reins of power at a 
much earlier age than his father. 
 
Hereditary power transfers are remnants of feudal times.  Communism 
is in principle an ideology that seeks to overthrow such remnants of 
feudalism, but the North Korean regime has been spewing slogans such 
as "continuing the revolutionary tradition" and "our form of 
socialism," insisting that the legitimacy of revolutionary ideology 
can only be established through this feudalistic pattern. 
 
Our problem lies in how to respond to this irrational regime.  North 
Korea is, in the short term, very likely to stage provocations 
overseas to solidify its grip on power.  For example, Kim Yong-chun, 
the vice marshal of the North Korean People's Army, was appointed as 
minister of the People's Armed Forces of the National Defense 
Commission in February.  He is seen as a hawk who has led various 
provocations since the mid-1990s.  The North Korean submarine 
infiltration in 1998 and the launch of the Taepodong 1 missile, the 
naval battles on the West Sea in 1999 and 2002, the launch of the 
Taepodong 2 missile in 2006, and the first nuclear test all took 
place under his tenure as military chief of staff. 
 
For the medium term, the ROKG should review its North Korea policy. 
It is becoming clearer and clearer that the Lee Myung-bak 
Administration's "denuclearization, opening, 3,000" plan, which 
encompasses a quid-pro-quo approach to North Korean aid and full 
support only if the North gives up its nuclear program and opens up, 
is flawed from its premise.  The ROKG should explore ways to come up 
with a new policy with a right mix of pressure and inducements in 
order to rein in this unpredictable and irrational regime. 
 
In the long term, the ROKG should prepare for possible instability 
in North Korea which might follow or arise in the process of power 
transfer from Kim Jong-il to Kim Jong-un.  North Korea's future is 
bleak, but that bleakness could mean disaster for all Koreans.  That 
 
SEOUL 00000877  006 OF 008 
 
 
is why we have no choice but to put some serious thought into the 
problems facing the Kim dynasty. 
 
(This is a translation provided by the newspaper, and it is 
identical to the Korean version.) 
 
 
FACTORING IN N. KOREA'S HEREDITARY TRANSFER OF POWER 
(Hankyoreh Shinmun, June 3, 2009, Page 27) 
 
It is being confirmed that North Korean leader Kim Jong-il recently 
designated his third son, Kim Jong-un, as successor, appearing to 
indicate a hereditary transfer of power.  If this is true, it would 
appear Kim Jong-il, who experienced health problems last August, 
realizes the urgency of developing a stable transfer of power and 
has stepped up to facilitate a process of succession. 
 
It is clear, even if one considers the particularity of the North 
Korean regime, that a hereditary power transfer spanning three 
generations is a backwards act rarely seen in today's world. 
Moreover, Kim Jong-un, age 26, has no clear base of experience. 
This is quite different from Kim Il-sung, who founded the nation, or 
Kim Jong-il, who was able to acquire decades of experience as the 
successor.  Furthermore, the fact that Kim Jong-un has two older 
brothers also serves as a potential factor of instability.  It is 
easy to predict that the course of transferring power will not be a 
smooth one. 
 
North Korea recently tested a long-range rocket and nuclear device 
despite concerted warnings from the international community, and is 
now preparing to launch a long-range missile.  This exceptionally 
hardline and rigid display can largely be explained by the transfer 
of power issue.  If the military leadership or central power in 
North Korea is able to demonstrate that it is running smoothly 
against what it considers to be external threats, it could be highly 
effective in inducing internal solidarity. 
 
Now is the time for wisdom from related countries, including the 
ROK.  As a nation experiences more factors of instability, the more 
sensitively it reacts to an external stimulus.  One should keep the 
door open to dialogue even if some level of sanctions are 
unavoidable in response to North Korea's nuclear test. In 
particular, arguments about North Korea's collapse, which are 
revived each time North Korea has internal difficulties, only 
worsens the situation by amplifying mistrust. 
 
The most regretful thing in managing this situation is that 
inter-Korean relations have hit rock bottom.  Only if North Korea 
has the option to reach out to the ROK in tough times can the danger 
of unforeseen incidents be lessened and pending bilateral issues be 
resolved, but it cannot do that now. 
 
North Korea's transfer of power will not occur immediately, and we 
must build inter-Korean relations with this in mind.  Both sides 
have things they must reflect on concerning the present situation, 
and a reconsideration of the ROK's North Korea policies is urgently 
needed. 
 
(This is a translation provided by the newspaper, and it is 
identical to the Korean version.) 
 
 
FEATURES 
-------- 
 
USG LODGES STRONG PROTEST AGAINST ROKG FOR ITS EXAGGERATED 
INTERPRETATION OF SENSITIVE INTELLIGENCE 
(Hankyoreh Shinmun, June 3, 2009, Front Page) 
 
By Reporters Kwon Hyuk-chul and Lee Je-hoon 
 
The ROKG is also suspected of intentionally leaking the intelligence 
in order to distract public attention. 
 
 
SEOUL 00000877  007 OF 008 
 
 
It was reported on June 2 that the USG has lodged strong protest 
against the ROKG in response to a key ROKG official telling the 
press, "(The object that North Korea is preparing to launch) is 
certainly an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICMB)."  In this 
regard, there is criticism that the ROKG may have leaked the 
sensitive intelligence to the media in order to divert public 
attention away from the death of former President Roh Moo-hyun. 
 
A source knowledgeable about military affairs said on June 2, "The 
U.S. has protested against the ROKG for leaking to the media 
sensitive military intelligence about North Korea's long-range 
missile preparations through such statements as "(The object that 
North Korea is preparing to launch) is certainly an ICBM" or "(The 
object) has arrived at the missile site at Dongchang-ri."  The 
source added, "(The USG) expressed grievance in opposition to the 
ROK's arbitrary interpretation of satellite photos provided by the 
U.S. and its leakage of them to the media." 
 
The source continued, "It is worrying that the Blue House seems to 
disregard the particularity of military intelligence on North Korea 
and engage in a media play so that it may shift attention away from 
former President Roh's death to the North Korean nuclear issue."  He 
also worried, "If (the ROKG) continues to leak sensitive 
intelligence provided by the U.S. to the media, the U.S. may no 
longer offer key information about North Korea to the ROK." 
 
On June 1, the National Intelligence Service (NIS) unusually called 
the members of the National Assembly's Intelligence Committee and 
informed them, "North Korea has sent its diplomatic missions 
overseas the statement that Chairman Kim Jong-il has appointed his 
third son as successor."  Observers point out that this unusual step 
may be "intended to turn the situation around."  An opposition 
Democratic Party lawmaker, a member of the National Assembly's 
Intelligence Committee, said, "This was the first time the NIS 
provided us with  important information prior to asking for it," 
adding, "I thought that it might be designed to distract public 
attention (from former President Roh's death.)" 
 
Also, on May 27, the U.S. reportedly complained about (quotes cited 
in) ROK media reports about specific intelligence matters, such as 
"The door to the storage facility housing Yongbyon's 5-megawatt 
spent fuel rods has been seen open several times since mid-April." 
 
Kim Yeon-chul, head of the Hankyoreh Peace Institute, said, "The 
reason why the Blue House is providing the media with information on 
North Korea so readily is to emphasize that the recent crisis is 
attributable to internal factors in the North," adding, "If (the 
ROKG) blames North Korea for everything, there will be no room for 
diplomacy, nor will there be a way to hold the ROKG accountable for 
its policy errors and failures." 
 
 
STEINBERG: "THE U.S. IS WORKING VERY CLOSELY WITH ALL OUR PARTNERS 
IN THE REGION" 
(JoongAng Ilbo, June 3, 2009, Page 3) 
 
By Correspondent Kim Dong-ho, Reporter Chae Byung-geon 
 
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg said on June 2 that 
the U.S. wants the international community to take "strong and 
unified action" against North Korea, in the wake of its nuclear 
test.  At a press meeting held upon his arrival at Gimpo Airport in 
Seoul yesterday, Steinberg said that "the only effective way to 
convince North Korea to take a different approach is to work 
collaboratively both in the UN Security Council and here in the 
region."  Asked whether the U.S. is considering single-handedly 
imposing financial sanctions on North Korea, he said, "No, quite the 
contrary.  The U.S. is working very closely with all our partners in 
the region." 
 
The U.S. delegation led by Deputy Secretary Steinberg will pay a 
courtesy visit to Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan on June 3 and will 
also join him for lunch.  The Deputy Secretary will then meet with 
Vice Foreign Minister Kwon Jong-rak and Senior Presidential 
 
SEOUL 00000877  008 OF 008 
 
 
Secretary for Diplomacy and National Security Kim Sung-hwan to 
discuss countermeasures against North Korea's nuclear test and ways 
the U.S. and the ROK can cooperate.  Steinberg will also make a 
courtesy call on President Lee Myung-bak on June 3 and will meet 
with Unification Minister Hyun In-taek and Defense Minister Lee 
Sang-hee on June 4.  The U.S. delegation will depart for China on 
June 5 after its visit to the ROK.  The group canceled its 
originally planned visit to Russia due to (a conflict in) schedules. 
 
 
For the moment, it is expected that the process of the Six-Party 
Talks aimed at resolving the North Korean nuclear issue will be 
changed considerably.  This stems from the understanding that the 
Six-Party Talks, which began in 2003, have not addressed the North 
Korean nuclear issue effectively.  According to the Jiji press' June 
2 report, during working-level consultations held in Tokyo on June 
1, Deputy Secretary Steinberg and Japanese Foreign Affairs Ministry 
Director-General Mitoji Yabunaka shared the view that there is a 
need to review and revise the process of negotiation and the past 
agreements while keeping the Six-Party Talks in place in order to 
resolve the North Korean nuclear issue.  During a June 2 meeting 
with Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso before leaving for the ROK, he 
reaffirmed that there is a need to change the process of the 
Six-Party Talks and that (the U.S.) will not tolerate North Korea's 
nuclearization. 
 
The Japanese Yomiuri Shimbun reported that the U.S. delegation will 
come up with joint countermeasures from the ROK, the U.S. and Japan. 
 
 
In a telephone conversation with Japanese Foreign Minister Hirofumi 
Nakasone on June 2, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said that a 
new resolution by the UN Security Council or its sanctions alone 
would not resolve the North Korean issue.  In a press release issued 
by the Japanese Foreign Ministry, China was cited as saying that 
(the international community) needs to lure North Korea back into 
the negotiating table while at the same time placing additional 
pressure on North Korea. 
 
 
 
STEPHENS