French press review 10 April 2013

The French political and governmental crises continue ... and so does the press coverage. And there are anxious glances in the direction of the fractious Korean peninsula.

Left-wing Libération focuses on the French President François Hollande’s order to ministers and top officials to declare their assets following the scandal involving former budget minister Jérôme Cahuzac.

Hollande has announced all politicians will from now on have to make their properties and assets known to the public.

While many elected officials have already complied, others fear a growing tendency to voyeurism.

In fact the declaration sparked off criticism and concern on both the right and the left, notes the newspaper, as many doubt this measure will help the government improved its image.

French MPs must already reveal the state of their finances to a government body – not to the public – at the start and end of each mandate and face fines of up to 30,000 euros for providing false information.

For the daily Le Monde, cleaning up public life is necessary but will not be sufficient to rebuild the public’s trust in the government.

Minister of Industrial Renewal Arnaud Montebourg tells the paper that he fears austerity policies may take the country into a recessionary spiral.

Hollande’s initiative is also criticised on the front page of right-wing daily Le Figaro, which states that while left-wing politicians fear a “system of accusation and blame”, right-wingers denounce a “diversion”, a moralising strategy to divert attention away from the important issues, such as the economy and unemployment.

Les Echos offers the only positive headline of the day, with a dossier on French employment, taking a look into what sectors will be recruiting in 2013. Despite non-existent growth, recruiting intentions are stable, says the economic newspaper, and electronic and computer engineers will be amongst the most sought-after workers.

Le Figaro also headlines South Korea’s growing concern with North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Un’s threats to unleash the dogs of war and the growing tensions between the two countries.

With US Secretary of State John Kerry’s visit to Seoul coming up, South Korea is “losing patience”, says the newspaper, as propaganda and threats from its northern neighbour intensify.

Libération publishes a poignant piece on Baengnyeong, a South Korean island about 12 kilometres off the coast of North Korea, which is considered a primary target by Kim Jong-Un.

Tourists have long fled the island, says the newspaper, but the 5,500 locals and 4,000 soldiers remain, continuing to live their lives as normally as possible but ready to take refuge in one of the island’s 89 fortified shelters.