“Suppression of the Press Masked by Legal Pretension“

Former chairperson of Donga Ilbo, Kim Byung-Kwan insisted at the final trial for `the tax penalty on the newspaper company` on the 14th, "This tax investigation put pressure on the press in the name of realizing revenue justice and clothed with pretension to legal authority."

Mr. Kim indicated, "The power of authority is physical means, but the power of the press is the power of words, that is to say, public opinion. The authority made public opinion an object of `reformation` ."

At the trial conducted by the Criminal Agreement 21st division in Seoul District Court (chief judge Park Yong-Kyu) at 2 o`clock on the 14th, former chairperson Mr. Kim stated as above in the final statement.

Mr. Kim insisted, "A newspaper company cannot be a sanctuary from tax investigation, and I regret the exposed faults. But this tax investigation on the newspaper companies were planned and promoted out of an ulterior motive to tame, debilitate and make the newspapers an tool of political power. It deviated from the original purpose."

Mr. Kim added, "This government imposed a penalty beyond our capacity to meet after it had performed extensive tax investigations through a long period, which is unprecedented. Moreover, it curtailed the traditional practice of the press and exaggerated the result of the investigations in its announcement, which denounced the related newspaper companies and the major shareholders as immoral."

"It is deplorable when I think about what on earth the so-called `press reformation` led by authorities was for and what the result was. The reformation made it difficult to resolve the conflicts for it magnified distrust, hostility, and split." said Mr. Kim.

"I believe that Donga Ilbo will accomplish all its roles and functions through correct and fair reports and comments in spite of the suppression by the authorities." added Mr. Kim.

The 3rd special division in Seoul District Prosecutor’s Office (chief prosecutor Cha Dong-Min) demanded 7 year`s imprisonment and a fine of 8 billion won for former chairperson Mr. Kim, and 6 year`s imprisonment and a fine of 10 billion won for the former vice president Kim Byung-Keon. The Donga Ilbo corporation was fined 1 billion won.

The verdict will be announced at 2 p.m. on February 4th.

Jung-Eun Lee lightee@donga.com