Time to wage war with media, Minister Noh says

Maritime Affairs-Fisheries Minister Noh Mu-Hyun is likely to stir up a controversy, as he said that now is the time for the government to declare war with the press.

In a meeting with reporters Wednesday, Minister Noh said, referring to a keynote speech delivered by opposition Grand National Party president Lee Hoi-Chang at the National Assembly plenary session Tuesday, that Lee`s demand to an immediate halt to the tax audit of the media outlets is irrational enough as the representative of a major political party.

Contending that because the media organizations are not the privileged sphere any more, they should undergo tax probes, if required, the minister asserted. He also said that it is necessary to have courageous politicians who can stand up to the media.

However, concerning the ongoing tax audit of the press organs, he cautioned that there could be no government actions without some specific purposes.