`Government`s Oppressive Media Suppression`

Lee Hoi-Chang, president of the Grand National Party, criticized the government saying that ``while people`s welfare, economy, and education are messed up, the current government is slandering the owners of the newspaper firms in the name of the press reform and is absorbed in the media suppression.``

Lee also said that ``the current regime tends to threaten the newspaper firms in the name of tax investigation because they critique the government. However, if the government seeks to gag the newspaper companies through the unfair and unjust ways, this is not law, but the oppression of the government.``

Saying that ``Kim Jong-Il, leader of North Korea, insisted on the withdrawal of U.S. armed forces in South Korea again, which intends to break down our security foundation.`` Lee demanded that President Kim Dae-Jung should clarify whether he agrees or disagrees on the issues of the withdrawal of U.S. armed forces in South Korea and the revision of the constitution [with the return visit of Kim Jong-Il, leader of North Korea].

Sun Dae-In eodls@donga.com