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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 06 SEOUL 000271 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR ECON KPAO KS US
SUBJECT: SEOUL - PRESS BULLETIN; FEBRUARY 22, 2010 
 
TOP HEADLINES 
------------- 
 
Chosun Ilbo 
Correspondent in Afghanistan: Even the Dirt Houses are Dilapidated; 
Kabul Is an Exhibition of "War Tragedy" 
 
JoongAng Ilbo 
POSTECH to Invest 50 Billion Won 
to Scout 10 Nobel Prize Laureates 
 
Dong-a Ilbo, Segye Ilbo, All TVs 
Lee Jung-su Wins Second Gold in Short Track 
 
Hankook Ilbo 
Two Years after Launch of Lee Myung-bak Administration, 56 Percent 
of Lawmakers and Professors Surveyed Raise Need 
to Reform Government Organizations 
 
Hankyoreh Shinmun 
With 100 Days to Go before June 2 Local Elections, Political Parties 
Gearing up for a Showdown that is Widely Considered a Yardstick for 
2012 Presidential Election 
 
Seoul Shinmun 
June 2 Local Elections Overshadowed 
by Sejong City Dispute and Public Apathy 
 
 
DOMESTIC DEVELOPMENTS 
---------------------- 
 
According to an (ROK) Defense Ministry official, the ROK and the 
U.S. plan to conclude bilateral talks this year on the possible 
overseas redeployment of USFK. (JoongAng) 
 
Michael Schiffer, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian 
and Pacific Security Affairs, said that he is confident that the 
transfer of wartime operational control from the U.S. to the ROK 
will occur in 2012. (Dong-a) 
 
According to a recent opinion survey by the Korea Institute for 
National Unification, 56 percent of ROK citizens have a negative 
view of North Korea. This is the first time since 1998 that a 
majority has viewed the North unfavorably. In addition, 87 percent 
of respondents favored another inter-Korean summit. (Chosun, Dong-a, 
Hankyoreh, Segye, Seoul) 
 
 
INTERNATIONAL NEWS 
------------------ 
 
According to diplomatic sources, the U.S. has been delaying issuing 
a visa for North Korea's Chief Nuclear Negotiator Kim Kye-gwan for 
the third consecutive week; Kim was invited by a U.S. academic 
organization late last month to attend a seminar slated to be held 
in New York in March. (JoongAng) 
 
According to the Kyodo News Agency, Stephen Bosworth, Special 
Representative for North Korea Policy, is considering visiting China 
next month to discuss the resumption of the Six-Party Talks with 
Chinese officials. (JoongAng, Segye) 
 
 
MEDIA ANALYSIS 
-------------- 
 
-N. Korea 
---------- 
All ROK media on Saturday carried reports quoting a military 
official as saying that North Korea has reinforced its artillery 
capacity along its disputed Yellow Sea border with the ROK by adding 
dozens of 240-mm multiple rocket launchers (MRLs) with a maximum 
 
SEOUL 00000271  002 OF 006 
 
 
range of 60km.  According to media reports, this is the first time 
that the North has deployed MRLs near the disputed sea border. 
 
The ROK media also reported that North Korea designated eight "naval 
firing zones" in the Sea of Japan and the Yellow Sea.   It is the 
fourth time that the North has declared such zones since Jan. 25. 
 
Conservative Chosun Ilbo quoted military authorities as saying 
yesterday: "As of Feb. 21, there is no unusual military activity 
detected in the North." 
 
Citing diplomatic sources, right-of-center JoongAng Ilbo today 
carried an inside-page report that the U.S. has been delaying 
issuing a visa for the North's Chief Nuclear Negotiator Kim Kye-gwan 
for the third consecutive week.  According to the report, Kim was 
invited by a U.S. academic organization late last month to attend a 
seminar slated to be held in New York March 3 - 4.  The report 
quoted a source as saying: "The U.S. position is that the chief 
North Korean negotiator's visit to the U.S. should be (for) a 
government-level contact between the two countries.  (His visit) 
will be possible only if the North makes clear its willingness to 
return to the Six-Party Talks." 
 
JoongAng and conservative Segye Ilbo replayed a Feb. 20 report by 
the Kyodo News Agency that Stephen Bosworth, Special Representative 
for North Korea Policy, is considering visiting China next month to 
discuss resuming the Six-Party Talks with Chinese officials.   The 
report quoted a source in the U.S. as saying: "Even if Bosworth 
visits China, chances are slim that the U.S. may agree to further 
inducements to draw the North back to the Six-Party Talks." 
 
 
FEATURES 
 
U.S. "CONFIDENT OF 2012 TRANSFER OF WARTIME OPERATIONAL CONTROL" 
(Dong-a Ilbo, February 22, 2010, Front Page) 
 
By Washington Correspondent Ha Tae-won 
 
U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Schiffer 
 
U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for East Asia and Pacific 
Affairs Michael Schiffer said on February 19 in reference to the 
transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON), "We are in 
continuous discussion about strengthening the ROK's military 
strength for the wartime OPCON transfer, and as of now, (we) are 
confident of the 2012 transfer of wartime operational control." 
 
As to the ROK's possible participation in the U.S.-led Ballistic 
Missile Defense (BMD) plan, Schiffer noted, "It has long been 
discussed between both authorities, and cooperation is now ongoing," 
stressing, "Given North Korea's missile threat, the BMD plan is 
absolutely needed in this region." 
 
During a February 19 exclusive interview with Dong-a Ilbo, which was 
held in his office on the fifth floor of the Pentagon in Washington, 
Deputy Assistant Secretary Schiffer stated, "It is an important 
asset of the alliance to know what (missile defense) capability the 
ROK wants to develop and the specifics of the plan." 
 
The Deputy Assistant Secretary, who is in charge of Korean Peninsula 
affairs at the Pentagon, said of the North Korean threat, "Although 
the U.S. is not within striking distances of North Korea's 
short-range or mid-range missiles, we consider those missiles, too, 
as a threat to the U.S." 
 
 
MOST S. KOREANS FEEL THREATENED BY THE NORTH 
(Chosun Ilbo, February 22, Page 2) 
 
By Reporter Lee Yong-su 
 
Some 56 percent of South Koreans have a negative view of North Korea 
and 70 percent feel threatened by the North's nuclear arms, a poll 
 
SEOUL 00000271  003 OF 006 
 
 
suggests.  But 87 percent support holding another inter-Korean 
summit. 
 
The Korea Institute for National Unification polled 1,000 people. 
Of the 56.4 percent who had a negative view of the North, 43.8 
percent saw the North as dangerous and 12.6 percent as an enemy. 
 
Of the 38.3 percent of respondents who saw the North positively, 
22.5 percent said the ROK should cooperate with (the North) and 15.8 
percent said it deserves support. 
 
It was the first time since 1998 that a majority (of South Koreans) 
had a negative view of North Korea. 
 
"The percentage of people with a negative view of the North in the 
latest poll is now as high as before the Sunshine Policy," said Choi 
Jin-wook, a senior researcher at KINU.  "It seems that the poll 
reflects how people were affected" by the North's second nuclear 
test, long-range rocket launch, and an inter-Korean skirmish in the 
West Sea last year. 
 
Some 90.8 percent of respondents said there is a "slim" chance that 
the North will abandon its nuclear weapons. 
 
Some 53.1 percent believe that there has been no big progress in 
inter-Korean relations while 15.8 percent said that relations had 
deteriorated.  Some 51.5 percent hold the North responsible for the 
worsening relations. 
 
A vast majority, or 80.3 percent, of respondents approved of the ROK 
demand to investigate the fatal shooting of an ROK tourist at Mt. 
Kumgang resort in July 2008 and to require an assurance that (North 
Korea will prevent) similar incidents as preconditions for resuming 
package tours to Mt. Kumgang. 
 
But more than half or 51.4 percent called for dialogue with the 
North. 
 
The poll was conducted by Millward Brown Media Research for KINU on 
Nov. 9-30 last year. 
 
(This is a translation provided by the newspaper, and it is 
identical to the Korean version.) 
 
 
CORRESPONDENT IN AFGHANISTAN: EVEN THE DIRT HOUSES ARE DILAPIDATED; 
KABUL IS AN EXHIBITION OF "WAR TRAGEDY" 
(Chosun Ilbo, February 22, 2010, Front Page) 
 
By Correspondent Lee Ha-won from Bagram Airbase in Kabul 
 
Afghanistan is tired of its three-decade-long war.  Since the Soviet 
Union's invasion in 1979, Afghanistan has been involved in a civil 
war for a long time and then at war with the Taliban, seeing its 
territory, about three times as large as the Korean Peninsula, 
devastated. 
 
As the first Korean reporter participating in the U.S. military's 
"Embed Program," I left the Afghan capital Kabul for the U.S. Bagram 
Air Base on February 20.  Earth houses along the streets were mostly 
dilapidated.  About an hour later, when our vehicle stopped for a 
while, a man in his twenties quickly came up to us out of nowhere. 
At that moment, my hair bristled up at the thought, "Am I going to 
die in a terrorist bombing attack?"  My heart inside the 10-kilogram 
body armor almost seemed to stop.  While passing by the front of the 
car, the man continuously stared at me.  Although a bomb did not go 
off, I could not let my guard down thinking that a bomb attack will 
take place without any warning. 
 
Wherever our vehicle stopped on its way, children with dirty faces 
ran toward us.  Six- and seven-year-old children, much younger than 
my son, reached out their rough hands for money.  There was a look 
of appeal in their eyes. 
 
 
SEOUL 00000271  004 OF 006 
 
 
All over Kabul, a war-ravaged city which I looked around a day 
earlier, bombed-out remnants of buildings were seen.  Local 
residents' earth houses looked as if they would collapse at any 
moment.  U.S. and ISAF (International Security Assistance Force) 
Commander General Stanley McChrystal, who had an exclusive interview 
with me at the ISAF headquarters in Kabul on February 20, showed 
great resolve. 
 
He stressed, "The war in Afghanistan is neither the U.S.'s war nor 
France's war nor Korea's war.  It is a war for the sake of the 
Afghan people," adding that he felt grateful to the ROK for its 
decision to dispatch troops despite security concerns. 
 
The Bagram Air Base, about 60 kilometers north of Kabul, reminded me 
of a large construction site.  Huge construction vehicles appeared 
to outnumber tanks and military aircraft.  At the base, where tens 
of thousands of people are stationed, all vehicles and soldiers were 
covered with dust. 
 
When I arrived at Bagram media center, a U.S. soldier handed me a 
9-page pledge.   A "release from liability" form caught my 
attention. 
 
"I recognize and agree that covering combat and military operations 
can be dangerous and may cost me my life."  I was hesitant for a 
moment but, after a deep breath, I signed it. 
 
This soldier said, "You will stay at "Hotel California."  I followed 
him, saying to myself, "There is a hotel in U.S. bases even at times 
of a war."  However, I found a wooden prefabricated barrack with (a 
sheet of) paper written "Hotel California" flying in the wind.  I 
was assigned to a room called Sacramento, California State's 
capital.  I will stay here for a week and report on Bagram. 
 
 
GEN. MCCHRYSTAL: "AFGHANS WANT TALIBAN TO BE DEFEATED... MOSHTARAK 
OPERATION IS SUCCESSFUL" 
(Chosun Ilbo, February 22, Page 3) 
 
By Washington Correspondent Lee Ha-won 
 
"The Afghan war is not a war of the U.S., France or the ROK.  This 
war is for the Afghans.  The U.S. needed (international) help during 
the war of independence and the ROK did during the Korean War.  As 
we needed outside help then, Afghanistan does now. " 
 
In an exclusive interview with Chosun Ilbo on February 19, Gen. 
McChrystal, the U.S. top commander in Afghanistan and the commander 
of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) stressed the 
need for international assistance to Afghanistan.  During a meeting 
at Gen. McChrystal's office in Kabul, the commander showed his 
confidence in the Afghan War by saying that, at a recent 
international conference on Afghanistan held in London, all of the 
(conference participants) reaffirmed their joint commitment (to 
Afghanistan).   Regarding the Marjah offensive which recently 
started in southern Afghanistan, Gen. McChrystal said, "Even though 
we lost (some of) our soldiers and local residents suffered damage, 
this operation is being carried out in an extraordinary and smooth 
way, causing relatively small damage." 
 
¶Q. What is the implication of the Marjah offensive which began 
February 13? 
 
This operation is not limited to the Marjah region.  It is being 
staged across Helmand province, the southern part of Afghanistan. 
Over the past two years, this area has been beset by insecurity. 
Our aim is to get the Afghans out of the Taliban's control.  Local 
residents want to be liberated from the Taliban. 
 
¶Q.  What is your assessment of (the U.S.'s) operation so far? 
 
The operation has been very successful and is still under way.  We 
have to be cautious in making assessments.  Strategically, it is 
important to demonstrate to the international community that 
 
SEOUL 00000271  005 OF 006 
 
 
Afghanistan itself is cable of guiding, steering and leading this 
operation. 
 
¶Q. The "Moshtarak" strategy involving two marine soldiers and one 
Afghan security force  member- which means "together" in Dari- is 
gaining attention. 
 
"We have strived to establish a strategy that involves Afghan 
security forces and allied forces.  We live together, fight together 
and share responsibilities.  Not only U.S. forces but also British 
forces and Danish forces are cooperating with the Afghan security 
forces." 
 
¶Q. Some analysts think that the U.S.'s strategy for the Taliban has 
changed.  If the Taliban changes its position, is the U.S. willing 
to cooperate with it? 
 
"This is what the Afghan government and people should decide.  We 
just provide security assistance to Afghanistan.  Afghan President 
Hamid Karzai delivered a clear message that if the Taliban seeks to 
live under the Afghan constitution, it must not resort to any 
violence, and this will lead (the Taliban) to live peacefully 
together with the Afghans. " 
 
¶Q. When will the additional 30,000 U.S. soldiers President Barack 
Obama promised to send be completely dispatched? 
 
"They will be sent by this summer. Two units are already engaging in 
the Marjah offensive.  A total of 38,000  U.S. soldiers will be 
deployed.  The allied forces also pledged to send 8000 soldiers. " 
 
¶Q. How do you define "victory" in the Afghan war? 
 
"When the Afghan people (can) make free choices for their own 
future, we (will) consider it a victory.  It is when they freely 
decide their government, engage in economic activities, and are 
equipped with self-defense capabilities." 
 
¶Q. What is the most important (factor in defining "victory"?) 
 
"Above all, public order and security should be ensured.  After 
that, they can decide their own future.  The government's control 
should be strengthened.  Control at regional levels nationwide 
should also be firm.  Corruption should be eliminated, and civil 
servants should do their work." 
 
¶Q. President Obama said in his State of the Union Address, "In 
Afghanistan, we're increasing our troops and training Afghan 
security forces so they can begin to take the lead in July of 2011." 
 Will it be possible? 
 
"We think that it is possible.  During his inauguration last year, 
Afghanistan President Karzai also expressed a desire to establish 
public security as early as possible.  The Afghan government is 
already taking the lead in that work.  We will also actively support 
it." 
 
¶Q. There is some criticism that the U.S. is still failing to win the 
heart of local residents.  Do you agree with it? 
 
"It is not a matter of whether I agree or not.  In order to deal 
with insurgents in a war situation, we should understand each other. 
 The allied forces should understand Afghanistan's culture and 
language among other things.  This is a war for the Afghan people, 
not a war hostile to them." 
 
¶Q. In the ROK, there is still lingering anxiety over the war in 
Afghanistan.  Some people say, "Why does the ROK support a U.S. 
war?" 
 
"This war does not carry only one meaning.  This is a global war on 
terrorism represented by the September 11 attacks.  We stand against 
al-Qaida's international terrorism based on fundamentalism.  In 
another sense, this is a war for the sake of the Afghan people. 
 
SEOUL 00000271  006 OF 006 
 
 
They need help.  At present, 44 countries are providing 
assistance." 
 
¶Q. In 2007, two Koreans were killed in Afghanistan by the Taliban. 
Because of that, the ROK is still reluctant to send its troops to 
Afghanistan. 
 
"I do not think that Koreans' concerns are wrong.  That kind of 
response is natural.  The possibility of danger exists.  However, we 
cannot prevent all danger.  This is why we think that it is selfless 
of the ROK to return to Afghanistan and show its determination to 
help the Afghan people.  So far, we have seen the ROK's selfless 
activities many times, and we are grateful for the ROK's decision 
(to dispatch troops.)" 
 
 
STEPHENS