``South Korea Under Supervision Regarding Freedom of Press``

The International Press Institute (IPI) unanimously decided to keep South Korea under supervision regarding freedom of press at a board of directors` meeting on Saturday in Paris, France.

In relation to the South Korea`s press situation, the IPI stated in its document that ``it is a violation of the international standard to have them face a trial while being arrested because there is no concern about the extinction of evidence or escape by the arrested owners of the press companies. Especially, disallowing the bail of Kim Byung-Kwan, the former honorary president of Dong-a Ilbo, is to reveal the government`s intention of press suppression.``

The IPI board of directors said that ``Russia`s press suppression began with the tax investigation. If this kind of problem is not resolved, the second, and the third South Korea will continue to come out.``

The IPI board of directors had a talk with the UNESCO officials including the general secretary Matsuura Koichiro, and requested them to tell the South Korean government that the arrest of the owners of the press company would violate the freedom of press.

Abdul Wahid Kan, the general secretary of the UNESCO, responded that the UNESCO opposes to any movement to restrict the freedom of press, whether it is a government or an organization.

Park Jei-Gyoon phark@donga.com