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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 SEOUL 001592 
 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR ECON KPAO KMDR KS US
SUBJECT: SEOUL - MEDIA REACTION 
 
Subject: Media Reaction; Seoul 
 
EAST ASIA AND PACIFIC: DPRK 
 
"China Weakens Impact of Pressure on N. Korea" 
 
Conservative Chosun Ilbo editorialized (10/07): "North Korean leader 
Kim Jong-il's statement, 'North Korea is ready to hold multilateral 
talks and these talks include the Six-Party Talks,' suggests that 
North Korea, depending on circumstances, may push trilateral talks 
with the U.S. and China, instead of the Six-Party Talks.  After all, 
Chinese Premier Wen's visit to Pyongyang resulted in massive 
economic aid to North Korea in return for the North's mere 
'expression of willingness' to return to multilateral talks, instead 
of its clear promise to return to the Six-Party Talks.  This 
situation amounts to China repeating the mistake of the past of 
rewarding North Korea before it has done anything, especially when 
UN sanctions are still in effect.  This approach weakens 
international pressure on North Korea and the negotiating powers of 
the countries in the Six-Party Talks." 
 
 
"No Point in Six-Party Talks If They Only Confirm What Is Discussed 
in U.S.-North Korea Bilateral Talks" 
 
Right-of-center JoongAng Ilbo's editorialized (10/07): "... North 
Korean leader Kim Jong-il's (statement) reveals his belief that 
discussion on the nuclear issue should be between the U.S. and North 
Korea, and that the Six-Party Talks will confirm (whatever outcome 
results from those talks).  The U.S. believes, however, that any 
discussions about the resolution of the nuclear issue must be within 
the framework of the Six-Party Talks and that U.S.-North Korea 
dialogue should serve as a stepping stone for the multilateral 
talks.  A visit to Pyongyang by U.S. Special Representative for 
North Korea Policy Stephen Bosworth is likely to be realized when 
this difference in position is narrowed to some degree. ... The 
two-track approach of 'pressure and dialogue' should be maintained 
until there is an assurance that North Korea's nuclear abandonment 
is irreversible." 
 
 
"China's Failure to Do More" 
 
Conservative Dong-a Ilbo editorialized (10/07): "It is highly likely 
that the North mentioned the Six-Party Talks as a face-saving 
measure for China.  China's (economic) assistance may also violate 
U.N. Security Council Resolution 1874 sanctioning North Korea. ... 
If Beijing promised assistance banned by the U.N. to maintain its 
influence over Pyongyang, it does not deserve a seat at the U.N. 
Security Council.  Rather, this could further encourage North Korea 
to develop nuclear weapons, judging that international sanctions 
against it might no longer be as strict as they used to be." 
 
 
"N. Korea Throws Ball for Six-Party Talks into Other Countries' 
Court" 
 
Moderate Hankook ILbo editorialized (10/07): "The ball is now in 
other Six-Party countries' court. ... The U.S. is likely to take 
cautious steps to make sure that North Korea will return to the 
Six-Party Talks while the international community continues to 
cooperate to enforce sanctions against North Korea.  The U.S., 
however, should not miss this rare opportunity by moving too 
slowly." 
 
 
"Lee Administration Must Change Obsolete N. Korea Policy" 
 
Left-leaning Hankyoreh Shinmun editorialized (10/07): "Broadly 
speaking, the significance of this North Korea-China meeting for the 
international community, including the ROK, is twofold.  First, with 
China agreeing to large-scale economic aid to North Korea, sanctions 
against North Korea have been rendered virtually powerless.  With 
China-which accounted for over 70 percent of North Korean trade last 
 
SEOUL 00001592  002 OF 002 
 
 
year -pledging large-scale economic cooperation, pressuring the 
North through sanctions is nothing more than a joke.  The other 
point of significance is that the two nations have pledged to 
strengthen their friendship 'for generations to come.'  This means 
China will support the North Korean regime in the long-term.  One 
could say a honeymoon era has begun between North Korea and China. 
The Lee Myung-bak Administration is greatly at fault for the fact 
that the situation has reached this point, since it has thoroughly 
blocked exchanges and cooperation with North Korea." 
 
 
 
STEPHENS