Source: Videazimut, Montreal On 14 June 1996, Kim Dong-Won (m), a representative for the independent documentary production company Purn Production, and the film and video committee chairman of National Federation for Alternative Culture (NFAC), both based in Seoul, was arrested and charged with violating the Audio and Video Censorship Act. All videotapes and editing equipment […]
Source: Videazimut, Montreal
On 14 June 1996, Kim Dong-Won (m), a representative for the
independent documentary production company Purn Production, and
the film and video committee chairman of National Federation for
Alternative Culture (NFAC), both based in Seoul, was arrested and
charged with violating the Audio and Video Censorship Act. All
videotapes and editing equipment owned by Purn Production were
confiscated.
The Audio and Video Censorship Act falls under the Act Relating
to Video Works, Article 17 of which states that “any person who
desires to produce video works or to obtain a licence for import,
carrying-in for the purpose of selling, distributing, lending
[and] offering [to] show them shall be in advance subject
to…censorship [by] the Public Performance Ethics Committee.”
Violation of this law as stated in Article 26 of the Act will
result in “imprisonment for not more than two years, [and] a fine
not exceeding ten million won (US$ 12,500).”
Founded in 1991, Purn Production is a South Korea-based
non-profit video production group that provides alternative media
reporting to the public.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
return of the items confiscated from Purn Production
conform to internationally recognised standards regarding free
expression
Appeals To
President Kim Young-sam
The Blue House
1 Sejong-no
Chongno-gu
Seoul, Republic of Korea
Fax: +822 770 0253Mr Ahn Woo-man
Minister of Justice
Ministry of Justice
1 Chungang-dong
Kwachon-myon
Shihung-gun
Kyonggi Province, Republic of Korea
Fax: +822 504 3337
Mr Kab-Soo Kim
Deputy Director
Ministry of Culture and Sports
Video and Audio Division
Seoul, Korea
Fax: +822 738 8196
To the diplomatic representatives of the Republic of Korea (South
Korea) in your country
Please copy appeals to the originator if possible.
