Stirs on Candidate Rho’s Comment, `When I Am Elected, Major Newspapers Would Be Nationalized`

Special aid for public affairs of candidate Rhee In-Je of the Millennium Democratic Party (MDP), Kim Yun-Su, claimed on April 4 that candidate Rho made a comment on August 1 last year during his talk with some central newspaper journalists in a restaurant located in Yoi-Do Seoul such as, `When I am elected, I will nationalize major newspapers.`

Special aid Kim added, `We have obtained an information report written by one of the attended reporters, and went through confirming process to reporters attended there.` However, candidate Rho immediately denied that charge, saying, `I have never taken that kind of thinking, and the story is groundless.`

According to the special aid Kim, candidate Rho spoke at that time,` It is important that opinion of public press goes in one direction for national development, people’s harmony, and strong reform. When I am elected, I will nationalize major newspapers, which can be achieved by issuing national bonds of the Bank of Korea.`

Special aid Kim also claimed that candidate Rho generally remarked, `It is necessary to limit the shares held by public press owners. Dong-a Ilbo was the most favorite newspaper for me in the past, but I do mot like the editorial tones nowadays. When I become president, I will demand the resignation of the major shareholders, and when it is refused, I will close down Dong-a Ilbo.`

Candidate Rho who has been visiting Daegu denied the alleged `nationalization remarks` saying, `I have been talking about the ownership limitation of major shareholders of the press, the talk of which is the limit any politician dare to go.` In relation to the alleged remarks on closing down Dona-a Ilbo, he explained, `How can I say such a word? I am not thinking that way in regard to Dong-a Ilbo.`

Special aid for public affairs Yu Jong-Pil in the camp of candidate Rho who attended at the gathering also denied the allegation of candidate Rhee camp. But special aid Kim Yun-Su took an offensive saying, `If this is not true, let them sue me for slander, but when it turned out to be true, candidate Rho should retire from politics.`

In other hands, five reporters who attended at the evening gathering tight-lipped about the remarks, saying `I do not remember` or `I can’t talk.` An attendee of the gathering said, `I can not expose the content of the dialogue at the gathering since that could be falsely used for political gains.` At that time, no reporter from Dong-a Ilbo attended at the gathering.

Yong-Gwan Jung yongari@donga.com