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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 06 SEOUL 001835 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR ECON KPAO KS US
SUBJECT: SEOUL - PRESS BULLETIN; November 19, 2009 
 
TOP HEADLINES 
------------- 
 
 
Chosun Ilbo 
Obama Faces a "Strong China" 
 
 
JoongAng Ilbo, Hankook Ilbo, Segye Ilbo, All TVs 
Lee, Obama to Discuss N. Korea, FTA and G20 Summit 
 
 
Dong-a Ilbo 
Financial Authorities Seek to Pre-Screen Candidates for Bank 
Presidents 
 
 
Hankyoreh Shinmun 
Growing Calls in Ruling Party to Revise Controversial "Four-River 
Restoration Project" 
 
 
Seoul Shinmun 
Prime Minister: "Some Highly Recognized Companies Have 90 to 95 
Percent Decided to Move into Sejong City" 
 
 
DOMESTIC DEVELOPMENTS 
--------------------- 
 
Presidents Lee Myung-bak and Barack Obama will hold a 
summit today to discuss the North Korean nuclear issue, the KORUS 
FTA and cooperation for next year's Group of 20 summit in Seoul. 
(All) 
 
A senior Blue House official said yesterday that a stern message 
toward North Korea will be issued at today's summit to resolve the 
nuclear impasse. (Hankyoreh) 
 
The ROKG has deployed 13,000 police officers and soldiers to ensure 
tight security during President Obama's visit. The 13,000 personnel 
on standby is the largest number ever mobilized for the security of 
a foreign guest. (All) 
 
The ruling Grand National Party (GNP) and the main opposition 
Democratic Party (DP) welcomed President Obama's visit yesterday, 
saying that the Lee-Obama summit should serve as an opportunity to 
find a way to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue and to advance 
the stalled KORUS FTA. The minor opposition Liberty Forward Party, 
by contrast, expressed disappointment at President Obama's brief 
stay in the ROK. (JoongAng, Dong-a, Hankook, Seoul) 
 
 
 
MEDIA ANALYSIS 
-------------- 
 
- President Obama in ROK 
------------------------ 
All ROK media gave front-and inside-page coverage to today's summit 
in Seoul between Presidents Lee Myung-bak and Barack Obama.  Most 
media expected the two leaders to focus on the North Korean nuclear 
issue, the KORUS FTA and cooperation for next year's Group of 20 
summit in Seoul. 
 
Right-of-center JoongAng Ilbo and left-leaning Hankyoreh Shinmun 
quoted a senior Blue House official as saying yesterday that a stern 
message toward North Korea will be issued at today's summit to 
resolve the nuclear impasse.  Conservative Dong-a Ilbo cited sources 
close to the summit as saying that President Obama will explain that 
the planned visit to Pyongyang by Special Representative for North 
Korea Policy Stephen Bosworth is not designed to begin negotiations 
with North Korea, but to urge Pyongyang's return to the Six-Party 
 
SEOUL 00001835  002 OF 006 
 
 
Talks as soon as possible. 
Conservative Chosun Ilbo carried an inside-page report entitled 
"Obama's Northeast Asia Trip Winds Down in Korea."  It said: 
"President Obama has been on a tour of Japan, China and the ROK, 
apparently with a different agenda in each country.  In Japan, 
although it was his first stop, there was tension over hopes in 
Tokyo to reduce the presence of U.S. troops.  In China, Obama was 
all charm, skipping lightly over unpleasant issues like human rights 
and Tibet.  What happens in the ROK remains to be seen." 
 
Right-of-center JoongAng Ilbo editorialized: "As of now, Seoul and 
Washington show no discord over their approaches to resolving the 
nuclear issue. ...  Seoul says that President Lee's 'grand bargain' 
proposal and the U.S.'s comprehensive resolution are not different. 
...  When the negotiations pick up speed, however, Seoul and 
Washington could again face discord over specific issues.  That has 
been the pattern of the past 20 years.  During today's summit, 
Presidents Lee and Obama must focus on minimizing such concerns. 
This is their third summit, and it is possible for them to open up 
and have candid discussions." 
 
Newspapers carried the following headlines: "N. Korea's Nuclear 
Program, FTA Key to Upgrading ROK-U.S. Alliance" (conservative 
Chosun Ilbo); "Will Obama Show Willingness to Ratify KORUS FTA?" 
(right-of-center JoongAng Ilbo); and "Possibility that Obama May 
Just End up Agreeing in Principle on Early Ratification of KORUS 
FTA" (moderate Hankook Ilbo) 
 
 
OPINIONS/EDITORIALS 
------------------- 
 
OPPORTUNITY FOR RENEWAL 
(JoongAng Ilbo, November 19, 2009, Page 34) 
 
The leaders of the United States and China have shown a clear 
difference in their views of the North Korea nuclear issue.  At a 
joint press conference that took place shortly after the U.S.-China 
summit on Tuesday, U.S. President Barack Obama sent a strong warning 
to Pyongyang when he said, "North Korea has a choice: It can 
continue down the path of confrontation and provocation that has led 
to less security, less prosperity and more isolation from the global 
community," Obama said, "or it can choose to become a full member of 
the international community, which will give a better life to its 
people by living up to international obligations and foregoing 
nuclear weapons."  In contrast, Chinese President Hu Jintao said the 
matter should be resolved through dialogue and negotiation.  The 
difference in Washington's and Beijing's positions is nothing new. 
And yet, it is rare to see such a drastic contrast in the midst of a 
single event.  Furthermore, the rift emerged ahead of U.S. special 
envoy Stephen Bosworth's planned trip to North Korea.  This has led 
to increasing concerns that the international community's handling 
of the North Korean nuclear issue will result in additional turmoil. 
 Seoul also faces the greater burden of persuading Beijing. 
 
As of now, Seoul and Washington show no discord over their 
approaches to resolving the nuclear crisis.  Some in the U.S. 
administration were displeased after Lee announced his "grand 
bargain," but the friction is completely gone now.  Ahead of his 
departure to Asia, Obama said, "President Lee and I are in full 
agreement on the need to achieve a comprehensive resolution of the 
nuclear, missile and proliferation problems, and cooperation between 
our two governments is extremely close."  At today's summit, the two 
leaders are expected to reconfirm their positions and issue a strong 
message to North Korea to give up its nuclear arms programs.  This, 
however, cannot be the end of the two leaders' discussion. 
 
Seoul says that President Lee's "grand bargain" proposal and the 
U.S.'s comprehensive are not different.  It said that Seoul and 
Washington share the understanding that the process of dismantling 
the North's nuclear arms must not be hindered.  When the 
negotiations pick up speed, however, Seoul and Washington could 
again face discord over specific issues.  That has been the pattern 
of the past 20 years. 
 
SEOUL 00001835  003 OF 006 
 
 
 
During today's summit, Presidents Lee and Obama must focus on 
minimizing such concerns.  This is their third summit, and it is 
possible for them to open up and have candid discussions.  Both 
leaders should use the summit as an opportunity to strengthen the 
foundation of the South Korea-U.S. alliance for the successful 
denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. 
 
(This is a translation provided by the newspaper, and it is 
identical to the Korean version.) 
 
 
 
EXPECTATIONS FOR PRESIDENT OBAMA'S FIRST VISIT TO ROK 
(Hankook Ilbo, November 19, page 39) 
 
U.S. President Barack Obama arrived in Seoul yesterday on the last 
leg of his debut Asian tour.  President Obama will hold a summit 
with President Lee Myung-bak today to discuss the North Korean 
nuclear issue, the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA), and 
cooperation for next year's Group of G20 summit in the ROK.  Even 
though this is the third meeting between the two leaders, Obama's 
visit to the ROK carries great significance.  President Obama is 
charting a new course for the U.S. and the world.  We welcome him 
heartily and hope that his visit will serve as an opportunity to 
further bolster bilateral cooperation. 
 
Unlike the Bush Administration, President Obama is championing 
multi-lateral talks and cooperation, while extending his hand to 
other countries.  We believe that Obama will take such an attitude 
during the ROK-U.S. summit.  We pay special attention to the outcome 
of their discussions on the North Korean nuclear issue, which is 
directly related to the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula. 
 During the U.S.-China summit held on November 17, President Obama 
and Chinese President Hu Jintao called on North Korea to return to 
the Six-Party Talks soon.  We expect that the two presidents will 
reaffirm this position more clearly during the summit.  However, 
pressure is not enough to bring Pyongyang back to the nuclear 
disarmament negotiations.  We expect a more advanced proposal on the 
North. 
 
We hope that the ROK-U.S. FTA issue will be completely resolved 
during the upcoming summit.  To this end, sincere dialogue is needed 
more than ever before.  Mindful of the interest of the U.S. auto 
industry, President Obama has been passive about ratifying the trade 
deal.  We expect that through this visit to the ROK, he will 
understand the ROK's position more deeply and make an about-face. 
 
Since President Obama's first visit to Seoul does not last less than 
a day, some observers point out that he pays too little attention to 
the U.S. ally.  In Japan and China, he stayed much longer and 
attended various events, such as dialogue with college students or a 
public speech.  It is regrettable that the first visit by President 
Obama, who deeply impressed Koreans, is too short.  However, what is 
more important is for the two nations to build mutual trust through 
earnest discussions.  We hope that the ROK-U.S. summit will produce 
good results which live up to Koreans' high expectations. 
 
 
Features 
-------- 
 
LEE-OBAMA TALKS TO FOCUS ON NK NUKES, FTA 
(Dong-a Ilbo, November 19, 2009, Front Page) 
 
By Reporter Chung Yong-kwan 
 
President Lee Myung-bak and U.S. President Barack Obama will hold a 
summit today in Seoul on North Korea's nuclear threat and 
ratification of the bilateral free trade agreement. 
 
The Korean presidential office of Cheong Wa Dae yesterday said both 
leaders will hold an intense discussion over President Lee's "grand 
bargain" proposal, or a one-step agreement to deal with Pyongyang, 
 
SEOUL 00001835  004 OF 006 
 
 
at the summit. 
 
They will also discuss how to advance ratification of the free trade 
deal, which has stalled since it was signed in September 2007. 
President Lee will urge both sides to ratify and implement the 
accord soon given that two years has passed since the singing of the 
agreement. 
 
The two leaders will also speak on cooperation to combat climate 
change and South Korea's hosting of next year's Group of 20 summit. 
Not to be discussed, however, will be Seoul's dispatch of forces to 
Afghanistan and retaking of wartime operational control from 
Washington in April 2012.  Presidents Lee and Obama will hold a 
joint news conference after the summit instead of releasing a joint 
statement. 
 
The two leaders had their first summit on the sidelines of the G20 
summit in London in April, followed by one in Washington in June. 
After visiting China for four days, Obama arrived at the U.S. Air 
Force base in Osan, south of Seoul, around 7:40 p.m. yesterday. 
Over his two-day visit to South Korea, Obama will hold talks and a 
luncheon with President Lee today.  Obama will head home after 
speaking to U.S. forces stationed in South Korea. 
 
(This is a translation provided by the newspaper, and it is 
identical to the Korean version.) 
 
 
 
OBAMA ARRIVES FOR 1ST VISIT TO S. KOREA AS PRESIDENT 
(Dong-a Ilbo, November 19, 2009, Page 4) 
 
By Reporter Chung Yong-kwan 
 
U.S. President Barack Obama yesterday landed at the U.S. Air Force 
base in Osan, south of Seoul, around 7:40 p.m.  U.S. Presidents have 
landed at the base in Air Force One whenever they visit South Korea. 
 
 
President Obama held small talk with Korean Foreign Minister Yu 
Myung-hwan and Ambassador to Washington Han Duck-soo, who welcomed 
Obama at the base.  Obama then cheered American soldiers and stepped 
into the presidential helicopter Marine One to move to a hotel in 
Seoul.  The hotel has been a favorite of U.S. Presidents visiting 
Seoul due to security issues.  After arriving at the hotel, Obama 
took a rest to prepare himself for his summit with President Lee 
Myung-bak. 
 
President Lee had no official schedule yesterday and instead checked 
the agenda for his bilateral summit at his office.  Because of his 
warm treatment when visiting Washington in June, he ordered his 
staff to pull out all the stops in providing the appropriate 
protocol and security for Obama.  Back in June, President Lee stayed 
at Blair House, the official guesthouse of the U.S. President, in 
Washington. 
 
In today's summit, both leaders plan to put focus on North Korea's 
nuclear program and speeding up the ratification of the South 
Korea-U.S. free trade agreement.  On North Korea, they are expected 
to coordinate their opinions on President Lee's "grand bargain" 
proposal, an initiative to deal with Pyongyang's nuclear program. 
Though Obama failed to mention the grand bargain before his visit to 
Asia, he said, "President Lee and I are in a full agreement on the 
need to achieve a comprehensive package for the nuclear missile and 
proliferation problems." 
 
Sources close to the summit said Obama will explain that the visit 
to Pyongyang by U.S. Special Representative for North Korea Policy 
Stephen Bosworth is not designed to begin negotiations with North 
Korea, but to urge Pyongyang's return to the Six-Party Talks as soon 
as possible.  The two leaders will also discuss implementing the 
Joint Vision for the ROK-U.S. Alliance adopted at their June summit. 
 
 
 
SEOUL 00001835  005 OF 006 
 
 
A more urgent issue, however, is the ratification of the bilateral 
free trade agreement.  President Lee will discuss the matter first 
and talk about the nuclear issue later.  Though the Korean 
government has high expectations for a positive response from Obama, 
it has taken a careful approach. A survey of U.S. industries on the 
agreement conducted by the U.S. Trade Representative said around 90 
percent fully back the deal.  Eighty-eight U.S. congressmen have 
also sent a letter to Obama urging faster action on the accord. 
Seoul, however, is well aware that the U.S. Senate is unlikely to 
ratify the deal soon because of complicated issues such as health 
care reform.  Accordingly, it remains to be seen whether the two 
leaders will just declare that they will strive to get the deal 
ratified as soon as possible or reach agreement on detailed plans. 
 
They will also discuss South Korea's hosting of the Group of 20 
summit in November next year.  Another agenda item is the U.N. 
Climate Conference in Denmark next month.  President Lee will say 
Korea will cut CO2 emissions 30 percent by 2020 and discuss 
cooperation in green growth with Obama. 
 
(This is a translation provided by the newspaper, and it is 
identical to the Korean version.) 
 
 
 
SUMMIT TO SEND NORTH STERN WORDS 
(JoongAng Daily, November 19, 2009, Front Page) 
 
By Reporter Ser Myo-ja 
 
"Grand bargain" can only come after Pyongyang returns to Six-Party 
Talks 
 
A stern message toward North Korea to resolve the nuclear impasse 
will be issued at the summit of President Lee Myung-bak and U.S. 
President Barack Obama today, a senior Blue House official said 
yesterday. 
 
After wrapping up his visit to China, Obama arrived here yesterday 
evening, landing at the U.S. Forces Korea's air base in Osan, south 
of Seoul.  South Korea is the last stop on Obama's nine-day Asian 
tour.  Anticipation was running high yesterday that today's summit 
between Lee and Obama will propel both leaders to push their 
legislatures to complete the Korea-U.S. free trade agreement. 
 
Beyond North Korea and the FTA, climate change and U.S. cooperation 
in Seoul's hosting of the G-20 summit next November will also be on 
the table.  Blue House officials said President Lee spent much of 
yesterday preparing for the summit, going over the main agenda items 
with key aides. 
 
The summit follows Washington's decision to send a special envoy to 
North Korea to discuss Pyongyang's possible return to the stalled 
six-nation nuclear talks.  Lee and Obama are also meeting days after 
a naval skirmish between the two Koreas in the Yellow Sea. 
 
Lee's North Korea policy architect said yesterday that Lee and Obama 
will discuss what they can offer within the so-called grand bargain 
proposal. 
 
"North Korea has not returned to the Six-Party Talks yet," Kim 
Tae-hyo, Lee's secretary for national strategy, told YTN yesterday. 
"At this point, Lee and Obama are expected to discuss how they can 
work together to create a package deal to be offered to the North in 
return for its nuclear dismantlement.  Furthermore, they will 
discuss how to coordinate it with Japan, China and Russia, and how 
the North will react to it.  The Lee-Obama summit will also serve as 
an opportunity to discuss the blueprint of the deal depending on the 
North's reaction." 
 
"Only after the North returns to the six-nation talks can we make an 
offer, and the North can react," Kim said.  "At this point, it is 
important for North Korea to decide to give up its nuclear arms 
programs.  It is inappropriate to discuss what the international 
 
SEOUL 00001835  006 OF 006 
 
 
community will offer inside the grand bargain while the North hides 
the core parts of its nuclear program.  To this end, a stern message 
will be sent to the North through the Lee-Obama summit." 
 
Lee and Obama will also discuss the FTA, signed in 2007.  It would 
liberalize bilateral trade between the two countries.  Leaders of 
Korea's major business lobbies, including the Federation of Korean 
Industries, visited the National Assembly yesterday to urge 
lawmakers to ratify the deal as soon as possible.  The summit also 
follows a bipartisan move in the U.S. Congress urging Obama to 
quickly submit the ratification bill. 
 
Park Sun-kyoo, Lee's spokesman, said the Blue House also geared up 
to provide the best possible security for Obama, who is visiting 
Korea for the first time. Lee personally chose gifts for the U.S. 
president.  "Because Obama learned taekwondo when he was (an 
Illinois state) senator, a taekwondo uniform, a black belt and an 
honorary certificate will be presented to him as presidential 
gifts," Park said. 
 
Although the U.S. first lady is not accompanying the American 
president this time, a Korean cookbook in English will also be 
delivered for Michelle Obama, Park said.  After summit meetings this 
morning, Lee and Obama will jointly address the press.  But no joint 
statement will be issued to summarize the summit. 
 
Following the press conference, the two will have lunch at the 
presidential guesthouse of Sangchunjae inside the Blue House. 
According to other Blue House officials, a traditional Korean meal 
of bulgogi, japchae and other dishes will be served along with 
California wine. 
 
While the ruling party welcomed Obama, opposition parties were split 
over his first trip to Korea. 
 
"I have seen footage of the two leaders (in a previous meeting) on 
TV.  As I saw them standing close, whispering to each other, I had 
an impression that they have built a deep friendship and trust on a 
personal level," said Chung Mong-joon, the Grand National Party 
Chairman.  The Democratic Party's Chairman Chung Sye-kyun also said 
the Lee-Obama summit should serve as an opportunity to find a way to 
resolve the nuclear crisis. 
 
In contrast, Lee Hoi-chang, head of the conservative opposition 
Liberty Forward Party, expressed disappointment at Obama's scheduled 
itinerary in Korea. 
 
"Obama attended a series of events in Japan and participated in a 
debate with university students in China," Lee said.  "And yet, he 
is only staying 24 hours in Korea and had no special plans other 
 
 
STEPHENS