President’s Militant Attitude toward Media Changing?

The National Assembly Wednesday held a government interpellation session on social issues with Prime Minister Goh Kun and relevant cabinet members today. Cabinet members were flooded with questions by lawmakers regarding President Roh’s favorable remark on communism during his four-day state visit to Japan.

Prime Minister Koh responded to the question posed by Rep. Kim Jung-sook of the opposition Grand National Party, who asked if the president meant to legalize a communist party by saying, “I think the president must have been referring to communist activities in European nations and Japan which operate within legal boundaries and don`t undermine the democratic system.”

Meanwhile, the prime minister said in response to GNP lawmaker Kang Sung-goo`s question whether the government’s action places restrictions on certain media outlets is tantamount to heavy-handed handling like the police clamping down on organized crime under the name of media reform by saying, “I don`t share the same view as lawmaker Kang. I believe that media reform should be pursued by the media itself.”

Prime Minister Koh also said, “I will convey lawmaker Kang`s criticism to the President against his direct manner of expressing his opinion.”

Culture and Tourism Minister Lee Chang-dong said to the National Assembly regarding a joint newspaper distribution system that the ministry would provide financial and other assistance to newspaper companies in line with the government`s policy to facilitate the publishing and culture industries without any political consideration.

Justice Minister Kang Kum-sil said that the ministry would instruct the prosecution to launch an investigation into the President’s elder brother`s land speculation allegations raised by the opposition GNP if there are any wrongdoings.

In the parliamentary question and answer session, Vice Prime Minister for Education Yoon Duck-hong unveiled his ministry’s plan to form a task force to come up with practical measures to reduce household spending on private touring by the end of this year. Regarding opposition parties` demands for his resignation in connection with his handling of the National Education Information System (NEIS), Vice Prime Minister Yoon said that he would fully address the issue as soon as possible.

Yong-Gwan Jung yongari@donga.com