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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 SEOUL 000205 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR ECON KPAO KS US
SUBJECT: SEOUL - PRESS BULLETIN; FEBRUARY 10, 2010 
 
TOP HEADLINES 
------------- 
 
Chosun Ilbo 
President Lee Mentions Qualities Necessary to be Next (ROK) Leader; 
Suspicion that He May Have Taken Aim 
at Former Ruling GNP Chairperson Park Geun-hye 
 
JoongAng Ilbo 
Minor Opposition Democratic Labor Party Suspected of Laundering 5.5 
Billion Won in Illegal Political Contributions 
 
Dong-a Ilbo 
ROKG Says N. Korea Faces Four-Month Food Shortage 
This Year; Continued "March of Hardship" 
 
Hankook Ilbo, Segye Ilbo, Seoul Shinmun, All TVs 
Is Coordination for N. Korea's Return to Six-Party Talks Picking Up 
Speed?; N. Korea's Nuclear Negotiator Visits China, 
while Special UN Envoy Arrives in Pyongyang 
 
Hankyoreh Shinmun 
"Gagged" Broadcasting; A Retreat to Dictatorship Feared 
 
 
DOMESTIC DEVELOPMENTS 
--------------------- 
 
Defense Minister Kim Tae-young, in a Feb. 9 symposium hosted by the 
Korea Institute for Defense Analyses (KIDA), said that there is a 
possibility that a small number of USFK troops may be deployed 
overseas in line with the U.S. military's "strategic flexibility" 
and that discussions are underway between the two countries 
regarding the prospect. (JoongAng, Dong-a, Hankook) 
 
On Feb. 4, a group of 67 U.S. Democratic lawmakers urged President 
Barack Obama to move quickly to ratify the KORUS FTA. Attention is 
being focused on whether this suggests a possible change of stance 
in U.S. political circles on the KORUS FTA. (Dong-a, Hankook, Segye, 
Seoul) 
 
 
INTERNATIONAL NEWS 
------------------ 
 
North Korea's Chief Nuclear Negotiator Kim Kye-gwan visited China 
yesterday and reportedly met with Wu Dawei, former Chinese Vice 
Foreign Minister and Chair of the Six-Party Talks. (All) 
 
This visit came a day after North Korean leader Kim Jong-il met in 
Pyongyang with visiting Senior Chinese Envoy Wang Jiarui and 
reaffirmed his commitment to denuclearization, saying: "The 
sincerity of relevant parties toward the resumption of the Six-Party 
Talks is very important." (All) 
 
According to China's Xinhua News Agency, the senior Chinese envoy 
conveyed to the North Korean leader an invitation to visit Beijing 
from Chinese President Hu Jintao. (All) 
 
According to a diplomatic source, Stephen Bosworth, Special 
Representative for North Korea Policy, said during a Feb. 3 seminar 
in Washington that North Korea's internal situation is complicated 
by issues such as a power succession and the currency reform. 
(JoongAng) 
 
 
MEDIA ANALYSIS 
-------------- 
 
-N. Korea 
-------- 
All ROK media gave prominent play to the visit by North Korea's 
Chief Nuclear Negotiator Kim Kye-gwan to China yesterday, a day 
 
SEOUL 00000205  002 OF 005 
 
 
after North Korean leader Kim Jong-il met in Pyongyang with visiting 
Senior Chinese Envoy Wang Jiarui. 
 
According to media reports, Kim Kye-gwan flew to Beijing in the same 
plane as Wang, who just ended his four-day visit to Pyongyang, and 
reportedly met with Wu Dawei, former Chinese Vice Foreign Minister 
and Chair of the Six-Party Talks, in a move thought to be related to 
the possible reopening of the Six-Party Talks. 
 
All media, citing China's official Xinhua News Agency, also reported 
that North Korean leader Kim Jong-il reaffirmed his commitment to 
denuclearization during his meeting with the visiting Chinese envoy, 
saying: "The sincerity of relevant parties towards the  resumption 
of the Six-Party Talks is very important." 
 
Conservative Dong-a Ilbo, in a related development, observed in a 
front-page report: "The North Korean leader simply reiterated the 
North's principles. ... This may indicate that his meeting with Wang 
may have focused on pending bilateral issues, such as China's 
assistance to North Korea." 
 
Conservative Chosun Ilbo quoted an ROKG official as saying: "It 
seems that China has resumed its initiative to bring North Korea 
back to the table, and the prospects for the Six-Party Talks seem to 
have brightened a little." 
 
Moderate Hankook Ilbo editorialized: "(North Korean Leader Kim 
Jong-il's remark) seems to show that North Korea holds other parties 
accountable for the stalled Six-Party Talks, while maintaining its 
position that it will not rejoin the Six-Party Talks before 
international sanctions are lifted. ...  Growing conflicts between 
the U.S. and China in various areas also cast a dark shadow over the 
prospects for resuming the Six-Party Talks.  Without close 
cooperation between the U.S. and China, it will be much more 
difficult to make North Korea change its attitude. ...  Each party 
should first exert active efforts, instead of demanding 
determination from the others." 
 
With regard to North Korea's call for a peace treaty, Chosun Ilbo 
carried an op-ed that said: "If North Korea returns to the Six-Party 
Talks and shows a 'sincere attitude' toward dismantling its nuclear 
program, there is no need to oppose a 'peace forum' to discuss the 
establishment of a peace regime on the Korean Peninsula.  At the 
same time, the ROK, the U.S. and Japan should make an effort to 
share its vision of the future with China, (a vision) in which an 
alliance and a multilateral security system could coexist in 
Northeast Asia, just as NATO and the Organization for Security and 
Co-operation (OSCE) coexist in Europe.  Only then can we deal with 
North Korea's demand for a peace regime and expect China's sincere 
cooperation." 
 
Citing a diplomatic source, right-of-center JoongAng Ilbo carried a 
front-page report quoting Stephen Bosworth, Special Representative 
for North Korea Policy, as saying during a Feb. 3 seminar in 
Washington that North Korea's internal situation is complicated by 
issues such as a power succession and the currency reform.  He was 
further quoted: "If North Korea returns to the Six-Party Talks and 
shows a sincere attitude toward nuclear dismantlement, it would be 
possible to begin a peace forum." 
 
 
OPINIONS/EDITORIALS 
------------------- 
 
PRESIDENT LEE MYUNG-BAK'S OPCON DILEMMA 
(Chosun Ilbo, February 10, Page 30; Excerpts) 
 
By Editorial Writer Park Doo-sik 
 
ROK President (Lee Myung-bak) has not raised the issue of the 
transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON).  (It seems that) 
this is because he is concerned that his request for a renegotiation 
of OPCON transfer may be rejected by the U.S.  Recent actions by the 
U.S. indicate that the U.S. has no intention of reversing the 
 
SEOUL 00000205  003 OF 005 
 
 
agreement that calls for a transfer of wartime operational control 
to the ROK on April 17, 2012.  The Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) 
released by the U.S. Department of State shows the U.S.'s 
determination to curtail its burden on the Korean Peninsula. 
 
International agreements may be changed depending on international 
relations.  But we may have pay if we want to reverse the agreement 
on the OPCON transfer.  The five-year project to build-up the ROK 
military, which was unveiled in 2006, will cost 151 trillion won. 
Delaying the timing of OPCON transfer will not lead to a reduction 
in this budget.  Moreover, we may end up shouldering a bigger burden 
because of additional defense costs and purchase of weapons. 
President Lee's real concern is that if the ROK hastily demands a 
renegotiation of the OPCON transfer, it may have to pay a greater 
price. 
 
However, the ROK, which is the world's 10th economic power, should 
be ready to bear such a burden to defend itself. 
 
 
WHAT NORTH KOREA AIMS FOR THROUGH A PEACE TREATY 
(Chosun Ilbo, February 10, Page 31; Excerpts) 
 
By Korea University Professor Kim Sung-han 
 
There are three things North Korea wants (by demanding a peace 
treaty with the U.S.)    First, North Korea says that the U.S. 
should abandon its hostile policy toward the North, which it claims 
prompted the country to develop its nuclear weapons.  Second, North 
Korea argues that, in order to end its hostile policy toward the 
North, the U.S. should redefine its alliance with the ROK by signing 
a peace treaty with North Korea.  Third, the North seeks to blur the 
nuclear issue by bringing up both the nuclear issue and the peace 
treaty simultaneously even if it returns to the Six-Party Talks. 
 
If North Korea returns to the Six-Party Talks and shows a 'sincere 
attitude' toward dismantling its nuclear program, there is no need 
to oppose a 'peace forum' to discuss the establishment of a peace 
regime on the Korean Peninsula.  At the same time, the ROK, the U.S. 
and Japan should make an effort to share its vision of the future 
with China, (a vision) in which an alliance and a multilateral 
security system could coexist in Northeast Asia, just as NATO and 
the Organization for Security and Co-operation (OSCE) coexist in 
Europe.  Only then can we deal with North Korea's demand for a peace 
regime and expect China's sincere cooperation. 
 
 
MORE EFFORTS NEEDED BY RELEVANT COUNTRIES TO RESUME SIX-PARTY TALKS 
 
(Hankook Ilbo, February 10, Page 39) 
 
North Korea's Chief Nuclear Negotiator Kim Kye-gwan yesterday made a 
surprise visit to China.  His visit is noteworthy because it 
followed shortly after Senior Chinese Envoy Wang Jiarui's four-day 
trip to North Korea.  Kim and Wang flew to Beijing on the same 
flight.  The Koryo Airline flight returned to North Korea after UN 
Political Chief Lynn Pascoe boarded the same day.  We hope that 
these moves by Pyongyang and Beijing will lead to the resumption of 
the Six-Party Talks. 
 
The purpose and itinerary of Kim's visit to China are not yet clear. 
 But it is highly likely that North Korea and China will further 
discuss the resumption of the Six-Party Talks and the 
denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.  Earlier, during his 
meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, Wang delivered 
President Hu Jintao's letter to him and discussed the 
denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.  Some people expect that a 
specific schedule for restarting the Six-Party Talks may be set this 
time.  The fact that Ri Gun, Director General of American Affairs at 
North Korea's Foreign Ministry, accompanied Kim signals a 
possibility that the North may have contact with the U.S. 
 
However, a closer look indicates that things are not that positive. 
During his meeting with Wang earlier, Kim Jong-il just stressed the 
 
SEOUL 00000205  004 OF 005 
 
 
need for sincerity and earnestness from relevant parties without 
directly mentioning the North's (intention to) return to the 
Six-Party Talks.  This seems to show that North Korea holds other 
parties accountable for the stalled Six-Party Talks, while 
maintaining its position that it will not rejoin the Six-Party Talks 
before international sanctions are lifted.  The UN envoy's visit 
could turn around situations.  However, given (recent) international 
developments, it will be difficult to find a breakthrough in the 
near future if North Korea sticks to this position. 
 
Growing conflicts between the U.S. and China in various areas also 
cast a dark shadow over the prospects for resuming the Six-Party 
Talks.  Without close cooperation between the U.S. and China, it 
will be much more difficult to make North Korea change its attitude. 
 It bodes ill that working-level talks for the resumption of tours 
to Mt. Kumgang and Kaesong produced no results.  Delaying the 
resumption of the Six-Party Talks will not be helpful for (any of 
the Six-Party Talks) countries including North Korea.  Each party 
should first exert active efforts, instead of demanding 
determination from the others. 
 
 
FEATURES 
-------- 
 
"NORTH KOREA'S INTERNAL SITUATION IS COMPLICATED BY SUCH ISSUES AS 
POWER TRANSFER AND CURRENCY REFORM" 
(JoongAng Ilbo, February 10, 2010, Front Page) 
 
By Reporter Kang Chan-ho 
 
According to a diplomatic source on February 9, U.S. Special 
Representative for North Korea Policy Stephen Bosworth said, "North 
Korea's internal situation is complicated.  Due to issues such as a 
hereditary power transfer and the currency reform, it is presumed 
that even the inner leadership circle is very concerned (about the 
North's situation).  He added 'North Korea should not be like 
this.'"  Ambassador Bosworth made the remarks during a closed-door 
seminar on a "Peace Regime on the Korean Peninsula," which was 
hosted by the Institute of Foreign Policy Analysis in Washington on 
February 3, local time. 
 
Another U.S. official in charge of Korean Peninsula affairs, who 
also attended the seminar, explained, "Due to several sanctions, 
such as a ban on weapons exports, the North seems to have some 
serious problems with its cash flow.  The U.S. considers sanctions 
against the North successful, and not only China but also Russia is 
cooperating well (on sanctions.)" 
 
The source said that regarding Pyongyang's call for peace treaty 
talks, Ambassador Bosworth noted, "Some USG officials say that when 
North Korea makes considerable progress in dismantling its nuclear 
programs, a peace treaty forum should start, but I think that it is 
an excessive position," adding, "If North Korea returns to the 
Six-Party Talks and shows a sincere attitude toward nuclear 
dismantlement, it would be possible to begin a peace forum."  When 
asked, "Are you willing to visit (Pyongyang) if there is a request 
from China," he responded, "If North Korea's return to the Six-Party 
Talks is guaranteed, I could show that degree of flexibility." 
 
 
REASONS FOR THE U.S. TO RATIFY THE KORUS FTA 
(Dong-a Ilbo, February 10, 2010, Page 31) 
 
A group of 31 representatives of the U.S. ruling Democratic Party 
took the unusual move of making their case for supporting the 
ROK-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (FTA) during a February 4 meeting with 
U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk.  They sent President Barack 
Obama a letter saying, "We will actively cooperate on trade 
agreements which open up the U.S. investment market."  Democratic 
lawmakers, who were opposed to ratifying the FTA due to opposition 
from the U.S. auto industry's labor union, have realized that trade 
expansion is beneficial to economic growth and job creation. 
Therefore, the prospects for ratifying the deal have increased to 
 
SEOUL 00000205  005 OF 005 
 
 
some extent. 
 
It was believed that, with the mid-term election set for November, 
the U.S. Congress would not likely address the KORUS FTA bill this 
year.  Now that Democratic representatives have taken a different 
approach (to the treaty), the USG should take up this issue again. 
In his State of the Union Address in January, President Obama said 
in reference to the ROK, "We will strengthen our trade relations in 
Asia and with key partners like South Korea and Panama and 
Colombia."  The President should put his words into action by 
hastening to complete work on the ratification of the trade pact 
before November.  If the KORUS FTA takes effect, it will expand the 
ROK-U.S. partnership into the fields of diplomacy, security and 
culture and become an opportunity for nations to view the U.S.'s 
trade policy positively.  It is not in the U.S. national interest to 
drag its feet. 
 
Since the economic recession started in December, 2007, about 8.4 
billion jobs have vanished in the U.S.  Although the unemployment 
rate for January dropped to 9.7 percent, the lowest level since last 
August, it is not because new jobs were created but because those 
who give up efforts to search for jobs were excluded from the 
statistics.  President Obama said, "If America sits on the sidelines 
while other nations sign trade deals, we will lose the chance to 
create jobs on our shores."  He should try to persuade Congress and 
the general public (of the benefits of ratifying the FTA) so that it 
(can be ratified.) 
 
The Obama Administration, though suffering a budget deficit, drew up 
the 2011 budget to include 100 billion dollars for job-creating 
programs.  The KORUS FTA could be a good complementary measure in 
the sense that it can create jobs without an additional fiscal 
burden.  Because the ROK has implemented its trade pact with India 
and is discussing an early implementation of the FTA with the EU, 
the U.S. may lose a good opportunity to enter the ROK market (if it 
doesn't ratify the KORUS FTA.) 
 
For the ROK, the KORUS FTA is a way to move toward a bigger market. 
The ROK National Assembly should also hasten to approve the FTA bill 
at its plenary session so that an opportunity will be open for the 
ROK economy. 
 
 
 
STEPHENS