KOREA: Warrant for media union chief rejected

Seoul Nambu District Court says arrest unnecessary because there is "insufficient reason to suspect that Choi will flee to avoid the investigation"

The Korea Times
Wednesday, July 29, 2009

By Park Si-soo

A Seoul court rejected the prosecution's request Wednesday to issue an arrest warrant for the chief of the National Union of Media Workers, who was detained earlier on charges of masterminding an illegal strike against disputed media reform bills.

The union represents 18,000 members of more than 100 news organizations nationwide.

The Seoul Nambu District Court refused to place Choi Sang-jae, head of the union, in custody saying, "There is insufficient reason to suspect that Choi will flee to avoid the investigation."

The court added that he was unlikely to attempt to destroy evidence related to the charges as evidence and testimony from relevant figures has already been secured.

Choi was apprehended by police at his house Monday for questioning over his role in the unionized media workers' strike aimed at deterring National Assembly approval of the controversial media bills.

Following the decision, he vowed to continue his struggle.

Choi was also accused of breaking into the Assembly building on July 22, along with other union members, in order to protest the ruling Grand National Party's move to endorse the media industry reform bills.

The bills were passed in a vote attended only by GNP lawmakers, after opposition lawmakers refused to participate, protesting the move.

The governing party claims the bills will promote competition in the industry, while the main opposition Democratic Party argues they are an attempt to muzzle media outlets critical of the government, and to benefit the country's conservative newspapers.

Date Posted: 7/29/2009