Currently released so far... 97115 / 251,287
Articles
Brazil
Sri Lanka
United Kingdom
Sweden
00. Editorial
United States
Latin America
Egypt
Jordan
Yemen
Thailand
Browse latest releases
2010/12/01
2010/12/02
2010/12/03
2010/12/04
2010/12/05
2010/12/06
2010/12/07
2010/12/08
2010/12/09
2010/12/10
2010/12/11
2010/12/12
2010/12/13
2010/12/14
2010/12/15
2010/12/16
2010/12/17
2010/12/18
2010/12/19
2010/12/20
2010/12/21
2010/12/22
2010/12/23
2010/12/25
2010/12/26
2010/12/27
2010/12/28
2010/12/29
2010/12/30
2011/01/01
2011/01/02
2011/01/04
2011/01/05
2011/01/07
2011/01/09
2011/01/11
2011/01/12
2011/01/13
2011/01/14
2011/01/15
2011/01/16
2011/01/17
2011/01/18
2011/01/19
2011/01/20
2011/01/21
2011/01/22
2011/01/23
2011/01/24
2011/01/25
2011/01/26
2011/01/27
2011/01/28
2011/01/29
2011/01/30
2011/01/31
2011/02/01
2011/02/02
2011/02/03
2011/02/04
2011/02/05
2011/02/06
2011/02/07
2011/02/08
2011/02/09
2011/02/10
2011/02/11
2011/02/12
2011/02/13
2011/02/14
2011/02/15
2011/02/16
2011/02/17
2011/02/18
2011/02/19
2011/02/20
2011/02/21
2011/02/22
2011/02/23
2011/02/24
2011/02/25
2011/02/26
2011/02/27
2011/02/28
2011/03/01
2011/03/02
2011/03/03
2011/03/04
2011/03/05
2011/03/06
2011/03/07
2011/03/08
2011/03/09
2011/03/10
2011/03/11
2011/03/13
2011/03/14
2011/03/15
2011/03/16
2011/03/17
2011/03/18
2011/03/19
2011/03/20
2011/03/21
2011/03/22
2011/03/23
2011/03/24
2011/03/25
2011/03/26
2011/03/27
2011/03/28
2011/03/29
2011/03/30
2011/03/31
2011/04/01
2011/04/02
2011/04/03
2011/04/04
2011/04/05
2011/04/06
2011/04/07
2011/04/08
2011/04/09
2011/04/10
2011/04/11
2011/04/12
2011/04/13
2011/04/14
2011/04/15
2011/04/16
2011/04/17
2011/04/18
2011/04/19
2011/04/20
2011/04/21
2011/04/22
2011/04/23
2011/04/24
2011/04/25
2011/04/26
2011/04/27
2011/04/28
2011/04/29
2011/04/30
2011/05/01
2011/05/02
2011/05/03
2011/05/04
2011/05/05
2011/05/06
2011/05/07
2011/05/09
2011/05/10
2011/05/11
2011/05/12
2011/05/13
2011/05/14
2011/05/15
2011/05/16
2011/05/17
2011/05/18
2011/05/19
2011/05/20
2011/05/21
2011/05/22
2011/05/23
2011/05/24
2011/05/25
2011/05/26
2011/05/27
2011/05/28
2011/05/29
2011/05/30
2011/05/31
2011/06/01
2011/06/02
2011/06/03
2011/06/04
2011/06/05
2011/06/06
2011/06/07
2011/06/08
2011/06/09
2011/06/10
2011/06/11
2011/06/12
2011/06/13
2011/06/14
2011/06/15
2011/06/16
2011/06/17
2011/06/18
2011/06/19
2011/06/20
2011/06/21
2011/06/22
2011/06/23
2011/06/24
2011/06/25
2011/06/26
2011/06/27
2011/06/28
2011/06/29
2011/06/30
2011/07/01
2011/07/02
2011/07/04
2011/07/05
2011/07/06
2011/07/07
2011/07/08
2011/07/10
2011/07/11
2011/07/12
2011/07/13
2011/07/14
2011/07/15
2011/07/16
2011/07/17
2011/07/18
2011/07/19
2011/07/20
2011/07/21
2011/07/22
2011/07/23
2011/07/25
2011/07/27
2011/07/28
2011/07/29
2011/07/31
2011/08/01
2011/08/02
2011/08/03
2011/08/05
2011/08/06
2011/08/07
2011/08/08
2011/08/10
2011/08/11
2011/08/12
2011/08/13
2011/08/15
2011/08/16
2011/08/17
2011/08/19
2011/08/21
2011/08/22
2011/08/23
2011/08/24
2011/08/25
Browse by creation date
Browse by origin
Embassy Athens
Embassy Asuncion
Embassy Astana
Embassy Asmara
Embassy Ashgabat
Embassy Apia
Embassy Antananarivo
Embassy Ankara
Embassy Amman
Embassy Algiers
Embassy Addis Ababa
Embassy Accra
Embassy Abuja
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Embassy Abidjan
Consulate Auckland
Consulate Amsterdam
Consulate Alexandria
Consulate Adana
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embasy Bonn
Embassy Bujumbura
Embassy Buenos Aires
Embassy Budapest
Embassy Bucharest
Embassy Brussels
Embassy Bridgetown
Embassy Brazzaville
Embassy Bratislava
Embassy Brasilia
Embassy Bogota
Embassy Bishkek
Embassy Bern
Embassy Berlin
Embassy Belmopan
Embassy Belgrade
Embassy Beirut
Embassy Beijing
Embassy Banjul
Embassy Bangui
Embassy Bangkok
Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan
Embassy Bamako
Embassy Baku
Embassy Baghdad
Consulate Belfast
Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Cotonou
Embassy Copenhagen
Embassy Conakry
Embassy Colombo
Embassy Chisinau
Embassy Caracas
Embassy Canberra
Embassy Cairo
Consulate Curacao
Consulate Ciudad Juarez
Consulate Chiang Mai
Consulate Chennai
Consulate Chengdu
Consulate Casablanca
Consulate Cape Town
Consulate Calgary
Embassy Dushanbe
Embassy Dublin
Embassy Doha
Embassy Djibouti
Embassy Dili
Embassy Dhaka
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Embassy Damascus
Embassy Dakar
DIR FSINFATC
Consulate Dusseldorf
Consulate Durban
Consulate Dubai
Consulate Dhahran
Embassy Guatemala
Embassy Grenada
Embassy Georgetown
Embassy Gaborone
Consulate Guayaquil
Consulate Guangzhou
Consulate Guadalajara
Embassy Helsinki
Embassy Harare
Embassy Hanoi
Consulate Hong Kong
Consulate Ho Chi Minh City
Consulate Hermosillo
Consulate Hamilton
Consulate Hamburg
Consulate Halifax
Embassy Kyiv
Embassy Kuwait
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Embassy Kolonia
Embassy Kinshasa
Embassy Kingston
Embassy Kigali
Embassy Khartoum
Embassy Kathmandu
Embassy Kampala
Embassy Kabul
Consulate Krakow
Consulate Kolkata
Consulate Karachi
Consulate Kaduna
Embassy Luxembourg
Embassy Lusaka
Embassy Luanda
Embassy London
Embassy Lome
Embassy Ljubljana
Embassy Lisbon
Embassy Lima
Embassy Lilongwe
Embassy Libreville
Embassy La Paz
Consulate Leipzig
Consulate Lahore
Consulate Lagos
Mission USOSCE
Mission USNATO
Mission UNESCO
Mission Geneva
Embassy Muscat
Embassy Moscow
Embassy Montevideo
Embassy Monrovia
Embassy Mogadishu
Embassy Minsk
Embassy Mexico
Embassy Mbabane
Embassy Maseru
Embassy Maputo
Embassy Manila
Embassy Manama
Embassy Managua
Embassy Malabo
Embassy Madrid
Consulate Munich
Consulate Mumbai
Consulate Montreal
Consulate Monterrey
Consulate Milan
Consulate Merida
Consulate Melbourne
Consulate Matamoros
Consulate Marseille
Embassy Nouakchott
Embassy Nicosia
Embassy Niamey
Embassy New Delhi
Embassy Ndjamena
Embassy Nassau
Embassy Nairobi
Consulate Nuevo Laredo
Consulate Naples
Consulate Naha
Consulate Nagoya
Embassy Pristina
Embassy Pretoria
Embassy Praia
Embassy Prague
Embassy Port Of Spain
Embassy Port Moresby
Embassy Port Louis
Embassy Port Au Prince
Embassy Podgorica
Embassy Phnom Penh
Embassy Paris
Embassy Paramaribo
Embassy Panama
Consulate Ponta Delgada
Consulate Peshawar
REO Mosul
REO Kirkuk
REO Hillah
REO Basrah
Embassy Rome
Embassy Riyadh
Embassy Riga
Embassy Reykjavik
Embassy Rangoon
Embassy Rabat
Consulate Rio De Janeiro
Consulate Recife
Secretary of State
Embassy Suva
Embassy Stockholm
Embassy Sofia
Embassy Skopje
Embassy Singapore
Embassy Seoul
Embassy Sarajevo
Embassy Santo Domingo
Embassy Santiago
Embassy Sanaa
Embassy San Salvador
Embassy San Jose
Consulate Surabaya
Consulate Strasbourg
Consulate St Petersburg
Consulate Shenyang
Consulate Shanghai
Consulate Sapporo
Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis
Embassy Tripoli
Embassy Tokyo
Embassy Tirana
Embassy The Hague
Embassy Tel Aviv
Embassy Tehran
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Embassy Tbilisi
Embassy Tashkent
Embassy Tallinn
Consulate Toronto
Consulate Tijuana
Consulate Thessaloniki
USUN New York
USMISSION USTR GENEVA
USEU Brussels
US Office Almaty
US Mission Geneva
US Mission CD Geneva
US Interests Section Havana
US Delegation, Secretary
US Delegation FEST TWO
UNVIE
UN Rome
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Embassy Vilnius
Embassy Vientiane
Embassy Vienna
Embassy Vatican
Embassy Valletta
Consulate Vladivostok
Consulate Vancouver
Browse by tag
AF
ADANA
ASEC
AFIN
AMGT
AE
AORC
AID
AR
AO
AU
ASEAN
AGOA
AFGHANISTAN
AFFAIRS
AMED
APER
ASECARP
APEC
AEMR
AS
AA
ANET
AFLU
ABLD
AL
ASUP
AJ
APECO
AMER
ABUD
AODE
AM
AFSN
AESC
AND
AG
ALOW
AROC
AVIANFLU
ATRN
ACOA
AEGR
AMGMT
AADP
AFSI
ACABQ
APRM
AZ
AIDS
ASE
AGAO
ADCO
ABDALLAH
ARF
AIDAC
ACOTA
ASCH
AC
ASEG
AGR
ACS
AMCHAMS
AN
AMIA
ASIG
ADPM
ADB
ANARCHISTS
ALOWAR
ARM
AUC
AINF
AINT
AORG
AY
AVIAN
AMEDCASCKFLO
AK
ARSO
ARABBL
ASO
ANTITERRORISM
ARABL
AOWC
AGRICULTURE
ALJAZEERA
AMTC
AFINM
AOCR
ABER
ARR
AFPK
ASSEMBLY
ASSK
AZE
AORCYM
AINR
AGMT
AEC
ACKM
APRC
AIN
ASCC
AFPREL
ASED
APERTH
ASFC
ASECTH
AFSA
AOMS
AORCO
ANTXON
ARC
AFAF
ADIP
AIAG
AFARI
AEMED
AORL
AX
ASECAF
AOPC
ASECAFIN
AFZAL
APCS
AMB
AGUIRRE
AEMRASECCASCKFLOMARRPRELPINRAMGTJMXL
AIT
ARCH
AMEX
ALI
AQ
ATFN
AMBASSADOR
AORCD
AVIATION
ARAS
AINFCY
ACBAQ
AOPR
AREP
ALEXANDER
ATRD
AEIR
AOIC
ABLDG
ASEX
AFR
ASCE
ATRA
ASEK
AER
ALOUNI
AMCT
AVERY
APR
AMAT
AEMRS
ASPA
AFU
AMG
ATPDEA
ALL
AECL
ACAO
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
AORD
AFL
AME
ADM
ASECPHUM
AGIT
ABT
ASECVE
AGUILAR
AT
ABMC
ALZUGUREN
ANGEL
ASR
ANTONIO
BMGT
BEXP
BM
BG
BL
BA
BR
BTA
BO
BY
BBSR
BLUE
BK
BF
BTIO
BELLVIEW
BE
BU
BN
BH
BD
BC
BTC
BILAT
BT
BX
BRUSSELS
BP
BB
BRPA
BUSH
BURMA
BMENA
BESP
BIT
BBG
BGD
BMEAID
BAGHDAD
BEN
BIO
BMOT
BWC
BLUNT
BURNS
BUT
BGMT
BAIO
BCW
BOEHNER
BFIF
BOL
BASHAR
BIMSTEC
BOU
BIDEN
BZ
BFIN
BTRA
BI
BHUM
BOIKO
BERARDUCCI
BOUCHAIB
BORDER
BEXPC
BTIU
BTT
BIOS
BEXB
BGPGOV
BOND
BLR
CE
CG
CH
CVR
CASC
CU
CI
CD
CO
CDG
CB
CJAN
CPAS
COM
CVIS
CMGT
CT
CENTCOM
CNARC
CTERR
COUNTER
CHIEF
CDC
CTR
CBW
COUNTRY
CLEARANCE
CY
CA
CM
CS
CWC
CN
CITES
CF
CWG
CIVS
CFIS
CASCC
CROATIA
CONS
COUNTERTERRORISM
CASA
COE
CJ
CHR
CODEL
CR
CBC
CACS
CHERTOFF
CAS
CONTROL
CONDITIONS
CONDOLEEZZA
CITEL
CV
CLINTON
CHG
CZ
CON
CTBT
CEN
CRIMES
COMMERCE
CLOK
CRISTINA
CFED
CARC
CND
CTM
CARICOM
COUNTRYCLEARANCE
CBTH
CHINA
CSW
CICTE
CJUS
CYPRUS
CW
CAMBODIA
CENSUS
CIDA
CRIME
CBG
CBE
CMGMT
CAIO
CEC
CARSON
CPCTC
CEDAW
COMESA
CVIA
CWCM
CEA
COSI
CAPC
CGEN
COPUOS
CGOPRC
COETRD
CKGR
CFE
CQ
CITT
CIC
CARIB
CVIC
CLO
CAFTA
CVISU
CHRISTOPHER
CACM
CIAT
CDB
CIS
CUL
CHAO
CNC
CL
CSEP
COMMAND
CENTER
COL
CAN
CAJC
CUIS
CONSULAR
CLMT
CIA
CBSA
CEUDA
CAC
CROS
CIO
CPUOS
CKOR
CVPR
CONG
CONTROLS
CEPTER
CVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGKIRF
CDCE
DPOL
DEMARCHE
DHS
DR
DA
DISENGAGEMENT
DEMOCRATIC
DEFENSE
DJ
DY
DARFUR
DHRF
DEA
DTRO
DPRK
DO
DARFR
DOC
DRL
DK
DOJ
DTRA
DOMESTIC
DAC
DOD
DEAX
DIEZ
DEOC
DELTAVIOLENCE
DCOM
DMINE
DRC
DCG
DPKO
DOMESTICPOLITICS
DE
DB
DOT
DEPT
DOE
DHLAKAMA
DHSX
DS
DKEM
DAO
DCM
DANIEL
DEM
DAVID
DCRM
ETRD
EAGR
ETTC
EAID
ECON
EFIN
ECIN
EINV
ELAB
EAIR
ENRG
EPET
EWWT
ECPS
EIND
EMIN
ELTN
EC
ETMIN
EUC
EZ
ET
ELECTIONS
ENVR
EU
EUN
EG
EINT
ER
ECONOMICS
ES
EMS
ENIV
EEB
EN
ECE
ECOSOC
EK
ENVIRONMENT
EFIS
EI
EWT
ENGRD
ECPSN
EXIM
EIAD
ERIN
ECPC
EDEV
ENGY
ECTRD
EPA
ESTH
ECCT
EINVECON
ENGR
ERTD
EUR
EAP
EWWC
ELTD
EL
EXIMOPIC
EXTERNAL
ETRDEC
ESCAP
ECO
EGAD
ELNT
ECONOMIC
ENV
ETRN
EIAR
EUMEM
ENRGPARMOTRASENVKGHGPGOVECONTSPLEAID
EREL
ECOM
ECONETRDEAGRJA
ETCC
ETRG
ECONOMY
EMED
ETR
ENERG
EITC
EFINOECD
EURM
EENG
ERA
EXPORT
ENRD
ECONEINVETRDEFINELABETRDKTDBPGOVOPIC
EGEN
EBRD
EVIN
ETRAD
ECOWAS
EFTA
ECONETRDBESPAR
EGOVSY
EPIN
EID
ECONENRG
EDRC
ESENV
ETT
EB
ENER
ELTNSNAR
ECHEVARRIA
ETRC
EPIT
EDUC
ESA
EFI
ENRGY
ESCI
EE
EAIDXMXAXBXFFR
EETC
ECIP
EIAID
EIVN
EBEXP
ESTN
EING
EGOV
ETRA
EPETEIND
ELAN
ETRDGK
EAIDRW
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
EPEC
ENVI
ELN
EAG
EPCS
EPRT
EPTED
ETRB
EUM
EAIDS
EFIC
EFINECONEAIDUNGAGM
EAIDAR
ESF
EIDN
ELAM
EDU
EV
EAIDAF
ECN
EDA
EXBS
EINTECPS
ENRGTRGYETRDBEXPBTIOSZ
EPREL
EAC
EINVEFIN
ETA
EAGER
EINDIR
ECA
ECLAC
ELAP
EITI
EUCOM
ECONEFINETRDPGOVEAGRPTERKTFNKCRMEAID
EARG
ELDIN
EINVKSCA
ENNP
EFINECONCS
EFINTS
ECCP
ETC
EAIRASECCASCID
EINN
ETRP
EAIDNI
EFQ
ECOQKPKO
EGPHUM
EBUD
ECONEINVEFINPGOVIZ
ENERGY
ELB
EINDETRD
EMI
ECONEFIN
EIB
EURN
ETRDEINVTINTCS
EIN
EFIM
ETIO
ELAINE
EMN
EATO
EWTR
EIPR
EINVETC
ETTD
ETDR
EIQ
ECONCS
EPPD
ENRGIZ
EISL
ESPINOSA
ELEC
EAIG
ESLCO
EUREM
ENTG
ERD
EINVECONSENVCSJA
EEPET
EUNCH
ECINECONCS
ETRO
ETRDECONWTOCS
ECUN
EFND
EPECO
EAIRECONRP
ERGR
ETRDPGOV
ECPN
ENRGMO
EPWR
EET
EAIS
EAGRE
EDUARDO
EAGRRP
EAIDPHUMPRELUG
EICN
ECONQH
EVN
EGHG
ELBR
EINF
EAIDHO
EENV
ETEX
ERNG
ED
FR
FREEDOM
FINREF
FJ
FI
FRELIMO
FOREIGN
FAA
FETHI
FAS
FTAA
FRB
FAO
FCS
FINANCE
FWS
FTA
FEMA
FDA
FLU
FRANCISCO
FBI
FORCE
FO
FARC
FK
FT
FCSC
FAC
FM
FMGT
FINV
FCSCEG
FARM
FERNANDO
FINR
FIN
FINE
FIR
FDIC
FOR
FOI
FCUL
FKLU
FMLN
FISO
FIXED
GM
GMUS
GG
GR
GE
GAZA
GT
GH
GZ
GJ
GLOBAL
GV
GABY
GOI
GA
GCC
GB
GY
GATT
GC
GUAM
GEORGE
GTIP
GOV
GOMEZ
GUTIERREZ
GL
GKGIC
GF
GU
GWI
GARCIA
GTMO
GN
GANGS
GIPNC
GAERC
GREGG
GUILLERMO
GASPAR
GERARD
GI
HK
HR
HUMANR
HUMAN
HO
HA
HUMANRIGHTS
HU
HHS
HIV
HUM
HRKAWC
HILLEN
HILLARY
HDP
HUMRIT
HSTC
HUMANITARIAN
HCOPIL
HADLEY
HURI
HL
HRETRD
HOURANI
HG
HARRIET
HESHAM
HI
HNCHR
HARRY
HRECON
HRC
HOSTAGES
HEBRON
HUMOR
HSWG
HYMPSK
HECTOR
HN
HYDE
HUD
HRPGOV
HIGHLIGHTS
ID
ILC
IS
IZ
ICAO
IMO
ITU
IR
IAEA
ICRC
IPROP
IT
IBRD
ISRAELI
IRAQI
ISSUES
ITRA
IV
IO
IGAD
IRAQ
IN
IMF
ICTR
ISCON
IADB
IDB
IEA
INR
IWC
ICCAT
ILO
INMARSAT
IOM
ICJ
IQ
ISPA
ITRD
IPR
INTELSAT
ISN
IAHRC
INTERNAL
IFAD
IICA
IHO
IRAN
IL
IRCE
IC
INTELLECTUAL
IRM
IE
ICTY
IDLI
IFO
ISCA
INF
INL
ISRAEL
INV
IBB
INFLUENZA
ISPL
ITER
ITIA
INRA
ISAF
IACHR
INTERPOL
IFR
IRS
INRB
IEF
ISAAC
ICC
INDO
IIP
IATTC
INAUGURATION
IND
INS
IZPREL
IACI
IEFIN
INNP
ILAB
IA
IMTS
ITALY
ITALIAN
IFIN
IRAJ
IX
ICG
IF
ITPHUM
ITA
IP
IACW
IK
IUCN
IZEAID
IRPE
IDA
ISLAMISTS
ITF
INRO
IBET
IDP
IRC
ISO
ICES
IRMO
ITPGOV
IQNV
IMSO
IRDB
IMET
INCB
IFRC
JA
JO
JP
JM
JCIC
JOHN
JE
JEFFERY
JS
JUS
JN
JOHNNIE
JAMES
JKUS
JOSEPH
JML
JAWAD
JSRP
JIMENEZ
JOSE
JKJUS
JK
JAPAN
KMDR
KPAO
KPKO
KJUS
KCRM
KGHG
KFRD
KWMN
KDEM
KTFN
KHIV
KGIC
KIDE
KSCA
KNNP
KHUM
KIPR
KSUM
KISL
KIRF
KCOR
KRCM
KPAL
KWBG
KN
KS
KOMC
KSEP
KFLU
KPWR
KTIA
KSEO
KMPI
KHLS
KICC
KSTH
KMCA
KVPR
KPRM
KE
KU
KZ
KFLO
KSAF
KTIP
KTEX
KBCT
KOCI
KOLY
KOR
KAWC
KACT
KUNR
KTDB
KSTC
KLIG
KSKN
KNN
KCFE
KCIP
KGHA
KHDP
KPOW
KUNC
KDRL
KV
KPREL
KCRS
KPOL
KRVC
KRIM
KGIT
KWIR
KT
KIRC
KOMO
KRFD
KUWAIT
KG
KFIN
KSCI
KTFIN
KFTN
KGOV
KPRV
KSAC
KGIV
KCRIM
KPIR
KSOC
KBIO
KW
KGLB
KMWN
KPO
KFSC
KSEAO
KSTCPL
KSI
KPRP
KREC
KFPC
KUNH
KCSA
KMRS
KNDP
KR
KICCPUR
KPPAO
KCSY
KTBT
KCIS
KNEP
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KNNB
KGCC
KINR
KPOP
KMFO
KENV
KNAR
KVIR
KDRG
KDMR
KFCE
KNAO
KDEN
KGCN
KICA
KIMMITT
KMCC
KLFU
KMSG
KSEC
KUM
KCUL
KMNP
KSMT
KCOM
KOMCSG
KSPR
KPMI
KRAD
KIND
KCRP
KAUST
KWAWC
KTER
KCHG
KRDP
KPAS
KITA
KTSC
KPAOPREL
KWGB
KIRP
KJUST
KMIG
KLAB
KTFR
KSEI
KSTT
KAPO
KSTS
KLSO
KWNN
KPOA
KHSA
KNPP
KPAONZ
KBTS
KWWW
KY
KJRE
KPAOKMDRKE
KCRCM
KSCS
KWMNCI
KESO
KWUN
KPLS
KIIP
KEDEM
KPAOY
KRIF
KGICKS
KREF
KTRD
KFRDSOCIRO
KTAO
KJU
KWMNPHUMPRELKPAOZW
KEN
KO
KNEI
KEMR
KKIV
KEAI
KWAC
KRCIM
KWCI
KFIU
KWIC
KCORR
KOMS
KNNO
KPAI
KBWG
KTTB
KTBD
KTIALG
KILS
KFEM
KTDM
KESS
KNUC
KPA
KOMCCO
KCEM
KRCS
KWBGSY
KNPPIS
KNNPMNUC
KWN
KERG
KLTN
KALM
KCCP
KSUMPHUM
KREL
KGH
KLIP
KTLA
KAWK
KWMM
KVRP
KVRC
KAID
KSLG
KDEMK
KX
KIF
KNPR
KCFC
KFTFN
KTFM
KPDD
KCERS
KMOC
KDEMAF
KMEPI
KEMS
KDRM
KEPREL
KBTR
KEDU
KNP
KIRL
KNNR
KMPT
KISLPINR
KTPN
KA
KJUSTH
KPIN
KDEV
KTDD
KAKA
KFRP
KWNM
KTSD
KINL
KJUSKUNR
KWWMN
KECF
KWBC
KPRO
KVBL
KOM
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KEDM
KFLD
KLPM
KRGY
KNNF
KICR
KIFR
KM
KWMNCS
KAWS
KLAP
KPAK
KDDG
KCGC
KID
KNSD
KMPF
KPFO
KDP
KCMR
KRMS
KNPT
KNNNP
KTIAPARM
KDTB
KNUP
KPGOV
KNAP
KNNC
KUK
KSRE
KREISLER
KIVP
KQ
KTIAEUN
KPALAOIS
KRM
KISLAO
KWM
KFLOA
LE
LU
LH
LA
LG
LO
LY
LANTERN
LI
LABOR
LORAN
LTTE
LT
LAS
LAB
LAW
LVPR
LARREA
LEBIK
LAURA
LS
LOTT
LOVE
LR
LEON
LAVIN
LGAT
LV
LAOS
LOG
LN
LB
MOPS
MO
MARR
ML
MASS
MZ
MR
MNUC
MX
MV
MCC
MY
MEDIA
MTCRE
MG
MCAP
MOPPS
MP
MI
MK
MC
MD
MA
MU
MASC
MW
MT
MEPP
MN
MTCR
MH
MEPI
MIL
MNUCPTEREZ
MMAR
MICHAEL
MUNC
MDC
MPOS
MONUC
MAR
MGMT
MAS
MEPN
MENDIETA
MARIA
MONTENEGRO
MOOPS
MSG
MARITIME
MURRAY
MUKASEY
MOTO
MCA
MFO
MEX
MRSEC
MMED
MACP
MAAR
MINUSTAH
MCCONNELL
MAPP
MGT
MARQUEZ
MANUEL
MNUR
MCCAIN
MF
MOHAMMAD
MOHAMED
MNU
MFA
MILITANTS
MINORITIES
MTS
MLS
MILI
MIAH
MEETINGS
MERCOSUR
MED
MARAD
MNVC
MINURSO
MNUCUN
MIK
MARK
MBM
MPP
MILITARY
MAPS
MNUK
MILA
MTRRE
MACEDONIA
MICHEL
MASSMNUC
MUCN
MQADHAFI
MPS
MARRGH
MRCRE
MTRE
MORALES
MAP
MCTRE
MHUC
MOPSGRPARM
MOROCCO
MCAPS
NL
NU
NS
NI
NPT
NATO
NO
NG
NATEU
NSF
NZ
NAS
NP
NDP
NLD
NGO
NEPAD
NAFTA
NASA
NEA
NGUYEN
NIH
NK
NIPP
NONE
NR
NANCY
NEGROPONTE
NRR
NERG
NSSP
NSG
NSFO
NE
NATSIOS
NFSO
NATIONAL
NTDB
NT
NCD
NTSB
NRC
NELSON
NAM
NH
NPG
NEC
NSC
NFATC
NMFS
NATOIRAQ
NAR
NZUS
NARC
NCCC
NA
NC
NEW
NRG
NUIN
NOVO
NATOPREL
NEY
NV
NICHOLAS
NPA
NW
NARCOTICS
NORAD
NOAA
NON
NTTC
NKNNP
NMNUC
NUMBERING
ODIP
OIIP
OPRC
OSCE
OREP
OTRA
OPET
OSCI
OVIP
OECD
OCII
OUALI
OPDC
OEXC
OFPD
OPIC
OFDP
OPCW
OECV
OAS
OM
OMIG
ODAG
OPREP
ORA
OIC
OEXCSCULKPAO
OIG
OASS
OFFICIALS
ORTA
OSAC
OIL
OIE
OEXP
OPEC
OPDAT
OMS
OES
OHI
OMAR
OCRA
OFSO
OCBD
OSTA
OAO
ONA
OTP
ORC
OAU
OXEC
OA
ODPC
OPDP
OVIPPRELUNGANU
OASC
OSHA
OPCD
OTR
OPPI
OPCR
OF
OFDPQIS
OSIC
OHUM
OSTRA
OASCC
OBSP
OFDA
OPICEAGR
OIM
OGAC
OTA
OTRAORP
OPPC
OESC
OCEA
OVP
ON
OPAD
OTAR
OCS
ODC
OTRD
OCED
OSD
ORUE
OREG
PHUM
PINR
PTER
PGOV
PREL
PREF
PL
PM
PHSA
PE
PARM
PINS
PK
PUNE
PO
PALESTINIAN
PU
PBTS
PROP
PTBS
POL
POLI
PA
PGOVZI
POLMIL
POLITICAL
PARTIES
POLM
PD
POLITICS
POLICY
PAS
PMIL
PINT
PNAT
PV
PKO
PPOL
PERSONS
PING
PBIO
PH
PETR
PARMS
PRES
PCON
PETERS
PRELBR
PT
PLAB
PP
PAK
PDEM
PKPA
PSOCI
PF
PLO
PTERM
PJUS
PSOE
PELOSI
PROPERTY
PGOVPREL
PARP
PRL
PNIR
PHUMKPAL
PG
PREZ
PGIC
PBOV
PAO
PKK
PROV
PHSAK
PHUMPREL
PROTECTION
PGOVBL
PSI
PRELPK
PGOVENRG
PUM
PRELKPKO
PATTY
PSOC
PRIVATIZATION
PRELSP
PGOVEAIDUKNOSWGMHUCANLLHFRSPITNZ
PMIG
PREC
PAIGH
PROG
PSHA
PARK
PETER
POG
PHUS
PPREL
PS
PTERPREL
PRELPGOV
POV
PKPO
PGOVECON
POUS
PGOVPRELPHUMPREFSMIGELABEAIDKCRMKWMN
PWBG
PMAR
PREM
PAR
PNR
PRELPGOVEAIDECONEINVBEXPSCULOIIPBTIO
PARMIR
PGOVGM
PHUH
PARTM
PN
PRE
PTE
PY
POLUN
PPEL
PDOV
PGOVSOCI
PIRF
PGOVPM
PBST
PRELEVU
PGOR
PBTSRU
PRM
PRELKPAOIZ
PGVO
PERL
PGOC
PAGR
PMIN
PHUMR
PVIP
PPD
PGV
PRAM
PINL
PKPAL
PTERE
PGOF
PINO
PHAS
PODC
PRHUM
PHUMA
PREO
PPA
PEPFAR
PGO
PRGOV
PAC
PRESL
PORG
PKFK
PEPR
PRELP
PREFA
PNG
PGOVPHUMKPAO
PRELECON
PINOCHET
PFOR
PGOVLO
PHUMBA
PRELC
PREK
PHUME
PHJM
POLINT
PGOVPZ
PGOVKCRM
PGOVE
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PECON
PEACE
PROCESS
PLN
PRELSW
PAHO
PEDRO
PRELA
PASS
PPAO
PGPV
PNUM
PCUL
PGGV
PSA
PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA
PGIV
PRFE
POGOV
PEL
PBT
PAMQ
PINF
PSEPC
POSTS
PHUMPGOV
PVOV
PHSAPREL
PROLIFERATION
PENA
PRELTBIOBA
PIN
PRELL
PGOVPTER
PHAM
PHYTRP
PTEL
PTERPGOV
PHARM
PROTESTS
PRELAF
PKBL
PRELKPAO
PKNP
PARMP
PHUML
PFOV
PERM
PUOS
PRELGOV
PHUMPTER
PARAGRAPH
PERURENA
PBTSEWWT
PCI
PETROL
PINSO
PINSCE
PQL
PEREZ
PBS
RS
REFUGEES
RW
RP
RELFREE
RO
REGIONAL
RIGHTS
REACTION
REPORT
RU
RENAMO
RIGHTSPOLMIL
REFORM
RM
REFUGEE
REL
RELATIONS
ROW
RREL
REGION
RATIFICATION
RBI
RICE
ROOD
RODENAS
RUIZ
RODHAM
ROBERT
RGY
ROY
REUBEN
RELIGIOUS
RUEHZO
RODRIGUEZ
RUEUN
RELAM
RSP
RF
RSO
RCMP
REO
ROSS
RPTS
RENE
REID
RUPREL
RMA
RI
REMON
RPEL
RFE
RFIN
RA
RAFAEL
RAY
RUS
RPREL
ROBERTG
RECIN
RAMONTEIJELO
SNAR
SP
SN
SMIG
SL
SOCI
SU
SG
SF
SENV
SZ
SOE
SCUL
SY
SO
SR
SYR
SE
SA
SW
SIPDIS
SCIENCE
SADC
SI
SCI
SOCIETY
SC
SAARC
STR
SECRETARY
SANC
SSH
ST
SNA
SGWI
SEP
SOCIS
SETTLEMENTS
SPECIALIST
SK
SHUM
START
STET
SCVL
SREF
SCHUL
SCUIL
SYRIA
SECURITY
SPCE
SYAI
SMIL
SOWGC
STEPHEN
SNRV
SKCA
SENSITIVE
SECI
SNAP
SPP
SCUD
SOM
SPECI
SMIGBG
SENC
SCRM
SGNV
SECTOR
SENVEAGREAIDTBIOECONSOCIXR
SENVSXE
SASIAIN
SACU
SENVSPL
SWMN
STEINBERG
SOPN
SOCR
SCOI
SCRS
SILVASANDE
SWE
SARS
SNARIZ
SUDAN
SENVQGR
SM
SNARKTFN
SAAD
SD
SAN
SIPRNET
STATE
SENS
SUBJECT
SFNV
SECSTATE
SSA
SPCVIS
SOI
SOFA
SCULKPAOECONTU
SPTER
SKSAF
SENVKGHG
SHI
SEVN
SANR
SPSTATE
SMITH
SCOM
SH
SNARCS
SNARN
SIPRS
SNARM
SIPDI
SCPR
SNIG
SELAB
SULLIVAN
SENVENV
SECDEF
SOLIC
SOIC
SPAS
SASC
SOSI
SEC
SEN
SENVCASCEAIDID
TU
TH
TW
TSPA
TRGY
TPHY
TBIO
TIFA
TS
TZ
TX
TSPL
TT
TK
TC
TINT
TERFIN
TERRORISM
TIP
TURKEY
TI
TECHNOLOGY
TNGD
TRSY
TRAFFICKING
TOPEC
TPSL
TP
TD
TR
TA
TIO
TREATY
TO
THPY
TECH
TRADE
TPSA
TG
TAGS
TF
TRAD
THKSJA
TVBIO
TNDG
TN
TBIOZK
TWI
TV
TWL
TRT
TWRO
TSRY
TTPGOV
TAUSCHER
TRBY
TRBIO
TL
TPKO
TIA
TGRY
TSPAM
TREL
TNAR
TBI
TFIN
TPHYPA
TWCH
THOMMA
THOMAS
TERROR
TRY
TBID
TPP
TE
THANH
TJ
TBKIO
UNGA
USUN
UN
UG
UNSC
UK
UP
US
UNCTAD
UNVIE
UNHRC
USTR
UNAMA
UNCRIME
UNESCO
UV
UNDP
UNHCR
UNCSD
UNCHR
UZ
USAID
UNEP
UNO
UNPUOS
UY
UNDC
UNCITRAL
UNAUS
UNCND
UA
UNMIK
USTDA
USEU
USDA
UNICEF
UR
UNFICYP
USNC
USTRRP
UNODC
UNRWA
UNOMIG
USTRPS
USAU
USCC
UNEF
UNGAPL
UNFPA
UNSCE
USSC
UGA
UEU
UNMIC
UNTAC
UNION
UNCLASSIFIED
USPS
UNA
UMIK
USOAS
UNMOVIC
UNFA
UNAIDS
UNCHC
USGS
UNSE
UNRCR
UNTERR
USG
UE
UAE
UNWRA
UNCSW
UNSCR
UNCHS
UNDESCO
UNPAR
UNC
UB
UNSCS
UKXG
UNGACG
UNREST
UNHR
USPTO
UNFCYP
USCG
UNIDROIT
UNSCD
UPU
UNBRO
UNECE
USTRUWR
UNCC
UNESCOSCULPRELPHUMKPALCUIRXFVEKV
VM
VE
VT
VETTING
VN
VZ
VIS
VC
VTPREL
VIP
VTEAID
VTEG
VOA
VA
VTIZ
VANG
VISIT
VO
VENZ
VAT
VI
VEPREL
VEN
WFP
WTO
WHO
WTRO
WBG
WMO
WIPO
WA
WI
WSIS
WHA
WCL
WE
WMN
WEBZ
WS
WAR
WZ
WMD
WW
WILLIAM
WEET
WAEMU
WM
WWBG
WWT
WWARD
WITH
WMDT
WTRQ
WCO
WEU
WALTER
WRTO
WB
WHTI
WBEG
WCI
WEF
WAKI
WHOA
WGC
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 08SEOUL1808, PRESS BULLETIN - September 11, 2008
If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #08SEOUL1808.
| Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08SEOUL1808 | 2008-09-11 06:44 | 2011-08-25 00:00 | UNCLASSIFIED | Embassy Seoul |
O 110644Z SEP 08
FM AMEMBASSY SEOUL
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1596
USDOC WASHDC 7521
DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC
CIA WASHINGTON DC//DDI/OEA//
USCINCPAC HONOLULU HI//FPA//
SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC
DIA WASHINGTON DC//DB-Z//
UNCLAS SEOUL 001808
DEPT FOR EAP/K, EAP/PD, INR/EAP/K AND INR/IL/P
TREASURY FOR OASIA/WINGLE
USDOC FOR 4430/IEP/OPB/EAP/WGOLICKE
STATE PASS USDA ELECTRONICALLY FOR FAS/ITP
STATE PASS DOL/ILAB SUDHA HALEY
STATE PASS USTR FOR IVES/WEISEL
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPAO PGOV PREL MARR ECON KS US
SUBJECT: PRESS BULLETIN - September 11, 2008
Opinions/Editorials
¶1. Preparing for a Post-Kim Jong-il North Korea
(Dong-a Ilbo, September 11, 2008, Page 27)
¶2. A Sick State
(JoongAng Ilbo, September 11, 2008, Page 30)
¶3. Talk of Kim Jong-il Being Ill Tests Our Crisis Management
(Hankook Ilbo, September 11, 2008, Page 39)
¶4. Act, Don't Overreact, To Rumors about Kim Jong-il
(Hankyoreh Shinmun, September 11, 2008, Page 31)
¶5. We Must Be Prepared for N. Korea's Collapse
(Chosun Ilbo, September 11, 2008, Page 31)
Features
¶6. Outgoing U.S. Ambassador Vershbow: "DongA Ilbo's Balanced
Reporting about 'Beef' Promoted a Fair Public Debate."
(Dong-a Ilbo, September 10, 2008, Page 29)
Top Headlines
Chosun Ilbo, Dong-a Ilbo, Hankook Ilbo, Hankyoreh Shinmun, Segye
Ilbo, Seoul Shinmun, All TVs
ROK National Intelligence Service: "N. Korean Leader Kim Jong-il
Recovering from Surgery after Stroke;
He Seems in Control"
JoongAng Ilbo
Senior ROKG Official: "Kim Jong-il Had Stroke around Aug.15;
After Brain Surgery, Kim Appears Unable to Engage in Outside
Activities but He is Conscious and has
No Problem Communicating"
Domestic Developments
¶1. The ROK National Intelligence Service (NIS), during a Sept. 10
closed-door session of the National Assembly Intelligence Committee,
said that North Korean leader Kim Jong-il had surgery after
suffering a stroke sometime after August 14 or 15 but that he is
recovering and is in stable condition. The NIS also said that there
is no indication that the North Korean regime is experiencing a
power vacuum. (All)
¶2. A high-ranking ROKG source was also quoted as saying yesterday
that the North Korean leader seems partially paralyzed but that he
can speak and move around. (All)
¶3. Meanwhile, Kim Yong-nam, president of North Korea's Supreme
People's Assembly, in a Sept. 10 interview with the Kyodo News
Agency, said that Kim Jong-il has "no problem," without elaborating
further. (All) The North's No. 2 official's mention of Kim's health
is very unusual, given that it is taboo in North Korea to publicly
mention the North Korean leader's health problem. This North Korean
remark can be seen as a "message" that North Korea is not in an
emergency. (Chosun) Kim Yong-nam was also quoted as saying during
the interview: "Pyongyang intends to carefully watch America's
domestic situation. A solution could be found to the current
deadlock on the nuclear issue if the two countries explore ways to
do so," a remark suggesting that North Korea leaves open the
possibility of negotiations with the U.S. (Hankook)
¶4. Chosun Ilbo, in an inside-page story, wondered who could be
behind North Korea's August 26 decision to suspend the disablement
of its nuclear facilities, if North Korean leader Kim collapsed
before August 22, and speculated that the North's military
leadership might have demanded such a decision. Chosun went on to
say that the current development raises the possibility of a retreat
or delay in resolving the North Korean nuclear issue.
¶5. Dong-a Ilbo and Hankook Ilbo commented that even if North Korean
leader Kim Jong-il recovers from his illness, cracks in the North's
"one-man dictatorship" would be inevitable. The newspapers also
expected that a power struggle or discussion of a "post-Kim Jong-il"
system will be accelerated in the country.
Media Analysis
¶N. Korea
Coverage of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il's health and its
possible impact on the Korean Peninsula and the North Korean nuclear
issue dominated the ROK media. The ROK media gave top front-page
play to the ROK National Intelligence Service (NIS)'s Sept. 10
briefing at the National Assembly Intelligence Committee, quoting
NIS Director Kim Sung-ho as saying that North Korean leader Kim
Jong-il had surgery after suffering a stroke sometime after August
14 or 15 and that he is quickly recovering and will have no problem
running his country. A high-ranking ROKG source was also quoted as
saying: "The North Korean leader seems partially paralyzed but he
can speak and move around." The ROK media also gave wide attention
to a Sept. 10 Kyodo News Agency interview of Kim Yong-nam, president
of North Korea's Supreme People's Assembly, in which he said, "There
is no problem," when he touched on North Korean leader Kim Jong-il's
failure to appear at an event marking the North's 60th anniversary
on Tuesday (September 9). Conservative Chosun Ilbo commented that
the North's No. 2 leader's mention of Kim's health is very unusual,
given that it is taboo in North Korea to publicly mention the
leader's health problem. Chosun went on to say that this North
Korean remark can be seen as a "message" that North Korea is not in
an emergency. The North's No. 2 leader was also quoted by moderate
Hankook Ilbo as saying in the interview: "Pyongyang intends to
carefully watch America's domestic situation. A solution could be
found to the current deadlock on the nuclear issue if the U.S. and
North Korea explore ways to do so." Hankook interpreted this as
suggesting that North Korea leaves open the possibility of
negotiations with the U.S.
Most newspapers predicted that there would be no big change on the
North Korean nuclear issue and inter-Korean relations unless North
Korean leader Kim Jong-il's death is imminent. In particular,
conservative Chosun Ilbo, in an inside-page story, wondered who
could be behind North Korea's August 26 decision to suspend the
disablement of its nuclear facilities, if North Korean leader Kim
collapsed before August 22, and speculated that the North's military
leadership might have demanded such a decision. Chosun also said
that the current situation raises the possibility of a retreat or
delay in resolving the North Korean nuclear issue. Moderate Seoul
Shinmun echoed Chosun Ilbo, stating that North Korea's military
leadership would likely play a bigger role in the future in order to
stabilize the North Korean regime and that the nuclear negotiations
would become more difficult as a result. Conservative Dong-a Ilbo
and moderate Hankook Ilbo, meanwhile, commented that even if North
Korean leader Kim Jong-il recovers from his illness, cracks in the
North's "one-man dictatorship" would be inevitable. The newspapers
also expected that a power struggle or discussion of a "post-Kim
Jong-il" system will be accelerated in the country.
The editorials of most newspapers called for the ROKG to come up
with countermeasures against a possible emergency in North Korea,
irrespective of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il's health condition.
Conservative Chosun Ilbo editorialized: "Regardless of the gravity
of Kim Jong-il's health problems this time, Kim can no longer put
off the issue of finding a successor. At present, there are no
candidates to succeed him, and North Korea will be unable to avoid a
power struggle if a successor becomes known with no prior
preparation. Even if one of Kim's three sons is put on the throne,
the prevailing view is that the military will call the shots from
behind the scenes. Irrespective of the path North Korea takes,
uncertainties will rise regarding the communist state and this will
also raise uncertainties on the entire Korean Peninsula. The clock
is ticking for the North Korean regime, whether it collapses
suddenly or changes slowly. That fateful moment has come closer.
It depends on us whether we will turn that crucial moment into an
opportunity or loss." Right-of-center JoongAng Ilbo's editorial
observed: "The ROKG's preparation should go beyond mere prediction.
It should make sure that it is in a position to function right after
any possible emergency breaks out. The most urgent matter is the
strength of the relations we have with the U.S. If China is sucked
into a situation that sees the North implode or collapse, we need to
be sure where we stand. At the same time, we shouldn't neglect
improving ties with China, a country that regards North Korea as a
satellite." Conservative Dong-a Ilbo wrote in an editorial: "If
North Korea goes through drastic changes, the international
community will also intervene. Neighboring nations should prepare
to peacefully handle a 'post-Kim Jong-il North Korea' and push for a
reunified Korean Peninsula."
Opinions/Editorials
Preparing for a Post-Kim Jong-il North Korea
(Dong-a Ilbo, September 11, 2008, Page 27)
North Korean leader Kim Jong-il failed to appear at North Korea's
ceremony to commemorate the Stalinist country's 60th anniversary.
The international community has subsequently paid keen attention to
Kim's health and the North's future. South Korea also says Kim is
certain to have health problems. His health could likely cause
unexpected changes in the North and rattle inter-Korean relations
and order in Northeast Asia. Seoul must rush to confirm the rumor
surrounding Kim's health, and also come up with effective measures
to deal with the worst-case scenario.
If Kim has serious health problems, this will prove to be a bigger
shock to North Koreans than the death of his father and predecessor
Kim Il-sung in 1994. Since Kim Jong-il had served as the heir
apparent since 1974, his father's death did not result in drastic
change to the communist nation's power structure and political
system. Now, however, North Korea has more challenging issues.
Though Kim Jong-il has three sons, none of them is considered the
nation's next leader. Given that, Kim Jong-il's death will result
in a power vacuum and political instability. Worse, the North could
experience bloodshed.
Kim Jong-il disappeared from public view for 49 days in 2003 when
the United States attacked Iraq. His latest absence has lasted 15
days. Considering Kim Yong-nam, the North's second-in-power, denied
reports that Kim Jong-il is ill, the North Korea leader could appear
in public again. Given his age of 66 and medical history, however,
the North will likely face changes soon. The only question is if
the changes will be gradual or drastic.
The latest developments could create both opportunity and threat for
South Korea. The German example of reunification could serve as a
good model. Western Germany greatly suffered due to a mass exodus
of people from the former East Germany. Both sides, however,
overcame difficulty and reunited with the help of the United States,
the former Soviet Union, the United Kingdom and France.
If North Korea goes through drastic changes, the international
community will also intervene. Neighboring nations should prepare
to peacefully handle a post-Kim Jong-il North Korea and push for a
reunified Korean Peninsula. For its part, South Korea should
strengthen its national security and draw a consensus on a reunified
Korea.
* This is a translation provided by the newspaper, and it is
identical to the Korean version.
A Sick State
(JoongAng Ilbo, September 11, 2008, Page 30)
We keep getting reports that Kim Jong-il, North Korea's leader, is
seriously ill. According to these reports, Kim might have suffered
a stroke weeks ago and foreign doctors have been summoned.
Other observers have heard similar stories about the possible
illnesses afflicting Kim, and this is not something new. There have
been rumors in the past about Kim's failing health, but then Kim
emerged on official visits to the military, for instance, quelling
talk that he was nearing the end.
There is a possibility that this recent breaking story is just
another rumor, but we should no longer expect business as usual in
the North.
The country is facing severe external and internal conflicts and
even North Korea's media has admitted that the country is facing a
situation so urgent that "other countries would find very difficult
to withstand."
Regardless of Kim's health, the South Korean government should
prepare itself for a sudden change in the situation north of the
38th parallel. But this doesn't seem to be the case,
unfortunately.
When Goh Kun was acting president of the South, he said he lost
sleep because there were no measures in place for a possible
emergency on the Korean Peninsula. The Lee Myung-bak administration
shouldn't repeat the same mistake.
North Korea has deteriorated over the past two decades politically
and economically. Now, we believe its leader is gravely ill.
The South Korean government's preparation should go beyond mere
prediction. It should make sure that it is in a position to
function right after any possible emergency breaks out.
The most urgent matter is the strength of the relations we have with
the United States. If China is sucked into a situation that sees
the North implode or collapse, we need to be sure where we stand.
At the same time, we shouldn't neglect improving ties with China, a
country that regards North Korea as a satellite.
As South Korea's economy is around 30 times bigger than the North's,
an emergency in North Korea can seriously damage the South's
finances.
The South Korean government should explain the possible impact of an
emergency in North Korea and let people know what they can do to
prepare themselves and their families. The issue concerns not only
the government but also the survival of the entire Korean
Peninsula.
* This is a translation provided by the newspaper, and it is
identical to the Korean version.
Talk of Kim Jong-il Being Ill Tests Our Crisis Management
(Hankook Ilbo, September 11, 2008, Page 39)
For now, it is difficult to determine how serious Kim Jong-il's
health condition is. Even though widespread rumor has it that the
North Korean leader is in a critical condition, there is also
speculation that his illness is not serious enough for him to be
unable to govern the communist state. This speculation is supported
by the facts that no unusual moves by the North Korean military have
been detected and that the North's state-controlled media outlets
have reported nothing out of the ordinary. We should remember how
the ROK got itself in trouble in the past by being excessively
swayed by mere rumors, including the one that Kim Jong-il died. We
should also consider possible repercussions caused by overreacting
to unconfirmed information, especially at a time when inter-Korean
dialogue channels are closed. The ROKG needs to take a prudent
approach while, at the same time, trying to identify the situation
accurately.
If Kim's illness is prolonged, it could delay important
decision-making in Pyongyang. In this case, it will be difficult to
make progress on the North Korean nuclear issue, which reached a
critical moment following Pyongyang's moves to suspend disabling its
nuclear facilities and restore them to their original state. The
fact that the time when Kim disappeared from public view corresponds
with the time when the North notified relevant nations of its halt
of disablement measures tells us a lot. If a decision-making vacuum
lasts long, it will not be easy to change our strained inter-Korean
relations for the better. The ROKG should also prepare fully for
such a situation. Managing a crisis sparked by talk of Kim's
illness is another test for the Lee Myung-bak administration.
Act, Don't Overreact, To Rumors about Kim Jong-il
(Hankyoreh Shinmun, September 11, 2008, Page 31)
Once again there are rumors that North Korean National Defense
Commission Chairman Kim Jong-il is ill. This time around there is
more basis to the speculation. He failed to show himself at all
during the North's celebration of the 60th anniversary of the
government's founding there. When he does not show up at such an
important public event he either has particular intentions behind
not appearing or there is something wrong with his health, and no
reason for him to hide comes to mind. The last time he appeared at
a public event was August 14. According to one rumor, several
well-known foreign stroke experts have entered the country.
If Kim is indeed in poor health it will mean much for the political
situation on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia. Making
sure the political situation does not become destabilized in any way
will be critical. We must avoid rashly concluding that he is unable
to control the North and overreacting. Everyone should act
prudently, based on accurate information. The related countries
must cooperate without being prejudiced in any one direction. The
country must avoid complicating the situation by taking too much of
any particular stance right now, and respond in a way that is
composed and true to the national strategy of peace and
reconciliation.
We must also be sure to come up with an action plan in case Kim
really is bedridden. Any sudden change in the power structure in
Pyongyang would invariably influence everything from the whole of
the six-party process to inter-Korean relations, and relations
between the North and the United States, China and Japan. We need
an action plan based on the best course of action for each of the
possible scenarios. Naturally, Seoul should increase its leadership
on the attendant issues that relate to the Korean Peninsula.
What to do after Kim's departure was already a question the North
had been thinking about. The North needs to be more transparent,
both domestically and internationally, if the question of who leads
the North after he is gone is to be kept from becoming a variable
that makes for uncertain times on the peninsular and regional
political landscape. We would hope that the North, for its part,
would be mindful of the fact that, regardless of the situation,
progress in the six-party process will always be advantageous to
Pyongyang. The six-party talks are first and foremost about the
North Korean nuclear issue, but they are also the international
framework for supporting Northern reform and openness. In other
words, stabilizing the North Korean system becomes easier as the
six-party talks succeed.
Once again we find it unfortunate how inter-Korean relations have
cooled since President Lee Myung-bak came to town. The South should
be able to secure the most timely and accurate intelligence about
the North and instantly offer help in a way that fits the situation
there. At the moment, however, our government is standing to the
side in matters pertaining to the North, by comparison, if you will,
to the United States and China. This latest episode reconfirms that
substantial improvements in inter-Korean relations are a matter of
necessity and not choice. It is time the Seoul government realizes
this.
* This is a translation provided by the newspaper, and it is
identical to the Korean version.
We Must Be Prepared for N. Korea's Collapse
(Chosun Ilbo, September 11, 2008, Page 31)
The world's attention is focused on the health of North Korean
leader Kim Jong-il as he failed to appear at celebrations for the
Stalinist country's 60th anniversary. Kim has failed to appear at
official events since Aug. 14. South Korea's National Intelligence
Service told the National Assembly that Kim had suffered a cerebral
hemorrhage or stroke, but was in recovery. Kim Young-nam, North
Korea's second in command, said in an interview with the
international press there was nothing wrong with Kim.
The North Korean leader attended the country's 50th anniversary in
1998 and a formal military review marking the 55th birthday of its
military in 2003. North Korea places a lot of importance on these
events, and Kim would not have missed the country's 60th anniversary
celebration unless something was seriously wrong with his health.
Kim was examined for heart disease and diabetes in Beijing in 2006
and is said to have undergone bypass surgery performed by German
physicians in May last year. He is 66 this year. Even if he
recovers this time, there is no chance that he will continue to
carry on normal activities for the next 10 to 20 years.
Regardless of the gravity of his health problems this time, Kim can
no longer put off the issue of finding a successor. At present,
there are no candidates to succeed him, and North Korea will be
unable to avoid a power struggle if a successor becomes known with
no prior preparation. Even if one of Kim's three sons is put on the
throne, the prevailing view is that the military will call the shots
from behind the scenes. Regardless of the path North Korea takes,
uncertainties will rise regarding the communist country and this
will also raise uncertainties on the entire Korean Peninsula.
North Korea adheres to a monotheistic view of its leader, saying the
bloodline of the Kim family, from former North Korean leader Kim
Il-sung to his son Jong-il, is the rightful leadership of the
communist country. If there is a difference between the Kim Il-sung
and Kim Jong-il regimes, it is the fact that it has become more
oppressive, since Jong-il lacks the charismatic authority his father
had. If Kim Jong-il disappears, there is a significant chance that
the entire regime will collapse. If that happens, it is difficult
to predict what North Korea's 1.17-million-strong military, armed
with nuclear, chemical and biological weapons, will do next.
In that case, each event in North Korea may sway the prospect of
unification on the Korean Peninsula and the fate of 75 million
Koreans. The latest incident proves that this scenario is no longer
a distant prospect but an unavoidable reality we may have to face
right now.
Faced with that reality, we have no choice but to take another look
at our diplomatic, military and economic preparations. China will
be the main obstacle to our future when North Korea is in flux.
There is a strong chance that China will seek to avoid sharing
borders with a country that adheres to the principles of liberal
democracy. There have been numerous accounts that China set up a
plan to position massive military forces along the Aprok (Yalu) and
Duman (Tumen) rivers in case North Korea falls. We must ensure the
formation of a major channel of communication to convince Beijing
that the unification of the two Koreas would not harm but benefit
China's national security and both the country's external and
internal affairs.
It is the United States that will have the greatest impact on the
direction China takes. It was none other than the U.S. that played
a major role in suppressing the intervention of a heavily-armed
Soviet military when the border separating East and West Germany
opened and the Berlin Wall fell. And Germany used this to achieve
unification. The Seoul-Washington alliance must be kept strong so
that the U.S. will be willing to take on such a role should the
North Korean regime fall, while the South Korean government must
also drastically bolster dialogue channels with China, or even
broaden ties with Russia and Japan so that they will support the
unification of the two Koreas.
The greatest emergency facing South Korea is a mishap involving Kim
Jong-il. South Korea's national manual to steer it through such
critical moments is the "Chungmu Plan" for wartime readiness. The
government says it is continuing to strengthen the Chungmu plan, but
it must thoroughly review the plan with the realization that we are
facing a North Korean emergency. The Roh Moo-hyun administration
shelved a military readiness plan - called "O-Plan 5029" - for a
North Korean emergency, fearing it would provoke the North. Now
this plan should be upgraded to a "strategic plan" as South Korea
has no choice but to make concrete preparations for such an event.
Even if rapidly changing circumstances in North Korea lead to
unification, South Korea will be faced with a staggering economic
burden that will weigh on the country's economy for a very long
time. This can be seen from the long struggle of European economic
superpower West Germany due to the cost of unification. But it is a
burden we cannot avoid, which is why we must strengthen and expand
our economy.
The clock is ticking for the North Korean regime, whether it
collapses suddenly or changes slowly. That fateful moment has come
closer. It depends on us whether we will turn that crucial moment
into an opportunity or loss.
* This is a translation provided by the newspaper, and it is
identical to the Korean version.
Features
Outgoing U.S. Ambassador Vershbow: "DongA Ilbo's Balanced Reporting
about 'Beef' Promoted a Fair Public Debate."
(Dong-a Ilbo, September 10, 2008, Page 29)
By Reporter Kim Seung-ryun
Interview with outgoing U.S. Ambassador Vershbow
Ambassador Vershbow: "More Democrats are supporting KORUS FTA... It
will be good if Korea passes the FTA within this year."
Alexander Vershbow, the U.S. Ambassador to Korea said, "I can't
predict how the new U.S. administration, which will take over next
January, will evaluate the outcome of the Korea-U.S. FTA
negotiations," adding, "It will help if Korea ratifies the
Korea-U.S. FTA within this year."
In his farewell interview with Dong-a Ilbo on September 8, 2008, he
said, "In the Democratic Party (which is relatively negative about
FTA), the number of people who support the Korea-U.S. FTA is
growing."
Ambassador Vershbow, who is scheduled to leave Korea on September
18, 2008 and retire from his 32-year diplomatic career, will start a
new life in Washington for the development of the Korea-U.S.
relationship.
¶Q. It is highly likely that Korea will ratify Korea-U.S. FTA in the
upcoming fall session. Is it possible for the U.S. to ratify it
within this year?
¶A. We don't really know whether there will be a 'lame duck session'
of Congress in November after the election that could ratify the
Korea-U.S. FTA."
¶Q. In order for the FTA to be ratified in the House, 40 to 50
Democrats need to vote for it.
¶A. I think there already are considerable numbers of Democrats as
well as Republicans who already support the FTA, whose states
clearly benefit from the FTA in terms of increasing exports in
agricultural products and more opportunities for the service
industry. To name two examples, there are Representative Diane
Watson and Senator Maria Cantwell. According to what I heard from
the business coalition which undertook an active lobbying effort,
they reported considerably stronger support (in the Democratic
Party) than they felt a year earlier.
¶Q. What are the complaints of the U.S. congress, particularly the
Democratic Party, about the automobile negotiations?
¶A. The FTA will lower the tariff on the American cars from 8% to 0%,
which will give American cars a comparative advantage over other
imports. For many people in Congress, it's not so much the agreement
as skepticism that Korea will be a reliable implementer of the
agreement and open its market. To the politicians in Washington, it
seems there is a long way to go.
¶Q. In the first half of this year, Korea had a hard time due to the
controversy over American beef and mad cow disease. At the center of
the controversy, there was MBC's 'PD Diary'. Did you watch the
program yourself?
¶A. I saw almost everything, with the show transcribed into English.
I still see some parts even now. It was not, in my view, a very
professional piece of journalism.
¶Q. Did you see the candlelight vigils provoked by the American beef
import negotiations yourself?
¶A. I mainly heard them from my residence, which is within audio
range of some of the demonstrations.
¶Q. How did you feel as Ambassador?
¶A. It was a combination of sadness and frustration. So many Koreans
were convinced that the U.S. was trying to do harm to Korea (by
selling problematic beef). Many false bits of information and
disinformation became so prevalent in the Korean debate. We are very
confident in our food safety system. However, some Koreans asked me
"Why does the U.S. force Koreans to eat infected beef?"
In his answer to this question, Ambassador Vershbow added "Thanks to
DongA Ilbo and other newspapers, a more balanced perspective has
begun to sink in the public debate, and as a result, the protesters
have gone back to their normal lives." This was the first time for
him to positively appreciate the role of particular Korean media
regarding the beef issue.
¶Q. Korea sent troops to Iraq and is reviewing the idea of providing
civil support to Afghanistan. Please explain to young generations in
Korea why they have to help a country so far away.
¶A. Koreans sometimes forget how much they are intertwined with the
entire international community, and how much they have become
enriched through that over time. Also, efforts to maintain freedom
and peace through the UN and international organizations are very
important and this concretely serves Korea's interest.
¶Q. The 2nd North Korea nuclear crisis, which started 6 years ago, is
still in a state of confusion.
¶A. We are obviously disturbed by North Korea's steps to begin some
activities that could lead to the restoration of the cooling tower.
However, let's remember that we have insisted on abiding by the
September 19 Joint Statement which refers to the abandonment of all
nuclear weapons and all existing nuclear programs, even after
October 2006 when North Korea succeeded in its nuclear test.
Vershbow