(CPJ/IFEX) – On 1 June 1998, Son Chung Mu, publisher of “Inside the World” magazine, was arrested on charges of criminal defamation growing out of the presidential campaign of 1997. Son was arrested by agents of the Seoul Public Prosecutor’s office at his home in Seoul, according to family members. Prosecutors have charged Son with […]
(CPJ/IFEX) – On 1 June 1998, Son Chung Mu, publisher of “Inside the World”
magazine, was arrested on charges of criminal defamation growing out of
the presidential campaign of 1997. Son was arrested by agents of the Seoul
Public Prosecutor’s office at his home in Seoul, according to family
members. Prosecutors
have charged Son with criminal defamation and of having received money from
former KCIA (Korean Central Intelligence Agency) chief Kwon Young Hae to
slander then-presidential candidate Kim Dae Jung during the 1997 campaign.
Son was also charged with related “crimes against reputation” in February by
the public prosecutor’s office but was not arrested at that time.
The charges stem from a series of complaints brought by the National
Congress
for a New Politics (NCNP), the party of current President Kim Dae Jung, in
the aftermath of his victory in the presidential election of December 1997.
In addition to the charges against Son, similar cases have been filed
against two other journalists, Chon Bong Jae, publisher of “World Korea”
magazine; and Ham Yun Shik, publisher of “One Way” magazine.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
she writes
legitimate
claims of libel or defamation
consider releasing him at the earliest possible time
harsh criminal defamation laws to ensure that journalists are protected from
imprisonment in the future
Appeals To
President Kim Dae Jung
The Blue House
#1 Sejong-no, Chongno-gu
Seoul
Republic of Korea
Fax: +822 770 0253Ministry of Justice
1 Chungang-dong
Kwachon-myon
Shihung-gun
Kyonggi Province
Republic of Korea
Fax: +822 504 3337
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
