Looking Back On Cheong Wa Dae Briefings for the Past Four Years

An analysis of the past four years’ worth of Cheong Wa Dae briefings first published upon the launch of the government of President Roh Moo-hyun revealed that 42.8 percent of the articles had criticizing or opposing views against the media (286 briefings), while 11.8 percent (79 briefings) posted criticisms of opposition parties.

Lawmaker Kim Hee-jeong of the Grand National Party analyzed the first one, released March 3, 2003, to the 669th one, released March 19, 2007, at a question-and-answer session of the National Assembly.

Out of a total of 669 editions of the Cheong Wa Dae briefings, five percent or 34 editions never mentioned national affairs management, including politics, policies, foreign affairs or security. They were merely full of criticisms against the media and opposition parties.

Lawmaker Kim said, “Cheong Wa Dae briefings are clearly designed to practice transparent administration of government affairs, and to forge a sound relationship between the authorities and the media according to laws and principles. However, once looked into, they seem to seriously take issue with the media and opposition parties.”

Several classic examples include, “Is it an article or a scenario?” (88th edition); “Obsessive Media Accusations” (137th edition); and “Misreporting and distortion: Is Matador a newspaper or information?” (512th edition). They say in unison that these articles arouse conflicts with unilateral arguments and abusive language.

Lawmaker Kim said, “Out of 18 editions published up until March 19, 13 (72.2 percent) of them posted castigating articles about the media and opposition parties,” adding, “That such criticisms were rampant in such articles early this year when President Roh was known to have presided over the Cheong Wa Dae conferences implies that President Roh and Cheong Wa Dae intend to exert influence over the elections.” Kim also added, “We should put an end to the Cheong Wa Dae briefings which are eager to criticize past articles of Dong-A, Chosun, Joongang, and Munhwa dailies as the four most conservative media outlets, and to find fault with the opposition parties.”

Meanwhile, it was revealed that high-level officials writing articles in the “Officials’ Column” in the briefings starting last March were paid two hundred thousand won per article.

Kim said that the briefings written by high-level officials for the column included the following: “In pursuit of two rabbits” by Lee Yong-sup, Minister of Construction and Transportation (of February 23), “Criticism inside and envy outside” by Yoo Jae-woong, Director of the Korean Overseas Information Service at the Government Information Agency (as of February 23), and “Conservatives and progressives with genuineness” by Rhyu Si-min, Minister of Health and Welfare (of March 6).

Lawmaker Kim pointed out, “It is a budgetary waste to pay ministers two hundred thousand won to write articles.”

taylor55@donga.com