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UNCLAS SECTION 03 OF 04 SEOUL 000218 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR ECON KPAO KS US
SUBJECT: SEOUL - PRESS BULLETIN; FEBRUARY 11, 2010 
 
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SEOUL 00000218  003.2 OF 004 
 
 
which is struggling with a rising jobless rate.  The ROKG should 
come up with various scenarios, while urging the U.S. and China to 
exercise restraint and reiterating the danger of neo-protectionism. 
 
 
 
THE WAY FOR N. KOREA TO ESCAPE ECONOMIC CRISIS IS TO RETURN TO THE 
SIX-PARTY TALKS AND GIVE UP ITS NUCLEAR PROGRAM 
(JoongAng Ilbo, February 11, 2010, Page 30) 
 
Attention is drawn to whether the Six-Party Talks on the North 
Korean nuclear issue will resume soon.  When Wang Jiarui, head of 
the Chinese Communist Party's International Department, recently 
visited Pyongyang, North Korea leader Kim Jong-il did not clearly 
express his intention to rejoin the Six-Party Talks.  However, right 
afterwards, North Korea's Chief Nuclear Envoy, Vice Foreign Minister 
Kim Kye-gwan, went to China and met with Chinese Special 
Representative for Korean Peninsula Affairs Wu Dawei, giving a push 
to both nations' efforts to seek a compromise. 
 
It has been about 14 months since the Six-Party Talks were 
suspended.  So far, North Korea has pushed for a second nuclear test 
and launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).  In 
response, the international community imposed sanctions against 
North Korea through the UN Security Council resolution.  Meanwhile, 
North Korea saw its economy fall into a bottomless pit after failing 
in its efforts to reform the economy by tightening market controls 
and strengthening the planned economy.  The recent currency 
revaluation that the North carried out as a last resort has 
reportedly worsened the situation.  This suggests a higher 
possibility that North Korea may rejoin the Six-Party Talks.  Now 
that it has become clear that the North cannot get out of an 
economic crisis without outside help, Pyongyang will have no choice 
but to take an active stance on the resolution of the North Korean 
nuclear issue. 
 
Once the Six-Party Talks restarts, discussions on the nuclear issue 
will likely be accelerated more than before.  The nuclear 
disablement process, which included the demolition of a cooling 
tower at the 5-megawatt reactor in Yongbyon in 2008, will resume and 
move forward at an early date and, accordingly, the UNSC sanctions 
will also be lifted.  In particular, there could be progress in 
discussing the establishment of a peace regime, North Korea's strong 
desire.  If an inter-Korean summit is also held in line with this 
progress, the stalled inter-Korean exchange projects will be 
reactivated.  Furthermore, if the North Korean nuclear issue enters 
the phase of a complete resolution, it will be possible for the ROK 
and the international community to fulfill their promises of massive 
aid to the North. 
 
This is the only way for the North to emerge from the economic 
quagmire that has persisted (in the country) for over 20 years. 
North Korean leader Kim Jong-il should stop dithering and make a 
decision to return to the Six-Party Talks. 
 
 
FEATURES 
--------- 
 
U.S. DENIES SPECULATION ABOUT U.S.-NORTH KOREA CONTACT 
(Hankyoreh Shinmun, February 11, Page 8) 
 
By Reporter Lee Yong-in and Correspondent Park Min-hee 
 
North Korea's Chief Negotiator Kim Kye-gwan reportedly visited China 
at the invitation of former Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei, 
who currently serves as a member of the standing committee of the 
National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative 
Conference (CPPCC). 
 
However, observers are voicing different opinions on (the purpose 
of) his visit, (questioning why) Kim was accompanied by Ri Gun, 
Director General of American Affairs at North Korea's Foreign 
Ministry and Choi Sun-hee, North Korean interpreter for the 
 
SEOUL 00000218  004 OF 004 
 
 
Six-Party Talks. 
 
There is speculation that North Korea may attempt to have contact 
with the U.S. shortly after coordinating the nuclear issue with 
China. 
 
At the end of last October, Ri visited the U.S. and consulted with 
Sung Kim, U.S. Special Envoy for the Six-Party Talks, at the 
Northeast Asia Cooperation Dialogue (NEACD) meetings in New York and 
San Diego.  At that time, Ri was accompanied by Choi Sun-hee. 
 
However, an ROKG official said on February 10, "I didn't hear 
anything about the North Korean delegation led by Vice Foreign 
Minister Kim Kye-gwan visiting the U.S. (to make contact with USG 
officials.) " adding, "U.S. delegates to the Six-Party Talks are not 
in China now."  During a conference call with reporters on February 
9 (local time), U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs 
Philip Crowley answered "No" when asked if (the North Korean team 
led by Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye-gwan) plans to visit the U.S. 
or meet with a U.S. official. 
 
 
STEPHENS