To Respond Press Suppression with Rightful Writings And Fair Reports to Prove Power of Pen

The Korean Newspaper and Broadcasting Editors Association (KNBEA) (president Ko Hak-Yong) issued a statement on Monday in relation to the arrest of newspaper owners saying that they deplored the government`s action. The statement said that the arrest went against the law, which states that investigations should be conducted without custody in such cases, noting that there was no possibility of the three fleeing the country, or destroying evidence, despite the serious national and international concerns and advises.

The KNBEA said that some of the ruling power implicated to restrict the shares owned by the independent newspaper firms by revising the periodical publication law, or to seize a particular newspaper firm through the special loan from the Bank of Korea. The KNBEA also said that the court should make a fair judgment by revealing the wrong and exaggerated parts since the arrested owners insisted that there were many things that were unreasonably indicted as illegal through tax investigation and the prosecutors` investigation.

The statement said that if the critical press keeps silence according to the wishes of the power, the freedom of press would disappear in Korea as would liberal democracy. The statement said that members, without surrendering to the suppression of the power, would respond with rightful writings and fair reports to prove that the pen has been mightier than the sword throughout history.

Kim Hyoung-Chan khc@donga.com