[Tha Hankyoreh, August 24 2007] S. Korean government’s new press policy is under fire

Journalists voice concern over the so-called ’New Plan for Modernization of Media-support’

Journalists have increasingly raised concern about major curbs on press freedom as the government is taking steps to implement what it calls a “plan for the modernization of media support.”

Among other changes, the government’s plan is aimed at consolidating press rooms run by government ministries and banning journalists from meeting government officials in their work. Two consolidated press rooms began operating on August 13 in two major government buildings in Seoul and Gwacheon.