(WAN/IFEX) – The following is a WAN press release: Paris, 30 September 1999 For immediate release WAN Condemns Pressure on Korean Newspaper The World Association of Newspapers has asked President Kim Dae Jung of South Korea to cease “punitive” legal actions against the publisher of the JoongAng Ilbo, which has been highly critical of his […]
(WAN/IFEX) – The following is a WAN press release:
Paris, 30 September 1999
For immediate release
WAN Condemns Pressure on Korean Newspaper
The World Association of Newspapers has asked President Kim Dae Jung of
South Korea to cease “punitive” legal actions against the publisher of the
JoongAng Ilbo, which has been highly critical of his government.
In a letter to President Kim, the Paris-based WAN said failure to drop the
case against Seok Hyun Hong “will inevitably damage the credibility of your
commitments to establish a full democracy in South Korea, in the eyes of the
international community.”
Dr. Hong has been accused of multiple charges of tax evasion in a case
involving the Bokwang business group, in which he is the largest
shareholder. He was today (Thursday) being questioned by prosecutors and
faces imminent arrest. Dr. Hong is not involved in the management of the
group, has never held any post in the company, and apparently has no legal
liability for any alleged tax evasion, even it this were proved.
“We are fully aware that the JoongAng Ilbo has been very critical, as indeed
it is free to be, about the actions of your government and that the
publication had supported your main opponent in the December 1997
Presidential election,” said the letter to President Kim.
“If Dr. Hong and the JoongAng Ilbo are being victimised in this tax case,
which any observer might reasonably suppose, because of its coverage of
government affairs, this would be a gross injustice and violation of the
freedom of expression to which the newspaper is entitled,” said the letter,
signed by WAN President Bengt Braun.
WAN, the global organisation for the newspaper industry, defends and
promotes press freedom world-wide. Its membership includes 61 national
newspaper associations, individual newspaper executives in 93 countries, 17
news agencies and seven regional and world-wide press groups. Dr. Hong
represents South Korean newspapers in the WAN Board.
