Dispute Between Ruling and Opposition Over Media Arbitration Act... "Enough Time" VS "Hasty Processing"

Do Jong-hwan, Chairman of the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee, is speaking at the full committee meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on the 17th. (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Kum Boryeong] The National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee continued its review of the amendment to the "Act on the Mediation and Relief of Damage in the Press" (Press Mediation Act), with sharp exchanges between the ruling and opposition parties.

On the morning of the 17th, the Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee held a plenary session to review the amendment to the Press Mediation Act.

The ruling party stated that they had spent sufficient time on the amendment. Park Jung, the ruling party's floor leader from the Democratic Party of Korea, said, "We repeatedly requested to handle the amendment to the Press Mediation Act, and a subcommittee meeting was held last November where it was discussed once. We have continued to mention it since February this year, but it was postponed due to the April 7 by-elections and the party conventions of both parties. There are as many as 16 bills submitted, and while handling them and creating alternatives, opposition party members did not attend the discussion sessions."

On the other hand, the opposition strongly criticized the "hasty processing." Kim Seung-soo, a member of the People Power Party, said, "I do not understand why there is such a rush to pass a law in August that even press organizations and foreign groups have expressed concerns about. I hope the reason will be clearly explained. The ruling party claims that the bill has been sufficiently discussed since it was submitted last year, but the parts that are actually contentious were first reviewed at the subcommittee on the 27th of last month." He added, "Even the review at that time involved unfamiliar content, and it was the first time the ruling and opposition parties examined it. Important parts were discussed less than a month ago."

Along with this, the People Power Party also raised issues regarding the bill processing procedure. Lee Dal-gon, the opposition floor leader from the People Power Party, explained, "I believe open sessions are important, but the ruling party said, 'Bring the draft over the weekend.' The dominant ruling party has long lost its focus on committee-centered governance. Looking at what was told to reporters, there was no mention of long discussions with the opposition."

The Justice Party also raised voices calling for a complete re-examination of the Press Mediation Act amendment. On this day, the Justice Party held a joint press conference with press organizations such as the Broadcast Journalists Association, the National Union of Mediaworkers, the Korea Journalists Association, and the Korea PD Association, urging for a re-discussion of the Press Mediation Act. Bae Jin-kyo, the Justice Party floor leader, said, "Historically, attempts to suppress the press have always been carried out to silence democracy and continue dictatorship. If the Democratic Party truly wishes for better democracy and for the press to return to its original role, I once again urge a full re-discussion of the Press Mediation Act amendment immediately."

The People Power Party also plans to hold an emergency party meeting at the Blue House Fountain Plaza in the afternoon to express their opposition to the Press Mediation Act.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.