(RSF/IFEX) – According to information made available by RSF on 8 July 1998, on 1 June 1998, Son Chung-Mu, publisher of the bi-weekly “Inside the World”, was arrested at his home by agents of the Seoul Public Prosecutor’s office. He was charged with “defamation” against then-presidential candidate Mr Kim Dae Jung during the 1997 campaign, […]
(RSF/IFEX) – According to information made available by RSF on 8 July 1998,
on 1 June 1998, Son Chung-Mu, publisher of the bi-weekly “Inside the World”,
was arrested at his home by agents of the Seoul Public Prosecutor’s office.
He was charged with “defamation” against then-presidential candidate Mr Kim
Dae Jung during the 1997 campaign, and
“violating the electoral code.” The civil court sentenced him to pay
US$100,000 in compensation, and he is due to go on trial in a criminal court
shortly. He is still detained.
**Updates information contained in IFEX alert of 3 June 1998**
Ham Yun-Shik, publisher of “One Way”, was arrested on 20 February 1998. He
was
charged with defamation and sentenced, on 2 July 1998, to a one-year prison
term. He had written nearly ten issues of a journal which revealed some
political and social problems.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, article 19 of which states that
“everyone has the right to receive and impart information”
unconditional release of Ham Yun-Shik. Indeed, RSF considers that his
sentence should be more appropriate, as detaining a journalist charged with
defamation is in opposition to international standards regarding press
freedom
trial and does not receive a jail sentence
Appeals To
Mr Kim Dae Jung
President
The Blue House
1 Sejong-no, Chongno-gu
Republic of Korea
Fax: +822 770 0253
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
