Today's First Meeting of the '8-Member Media Arbitration Act Council'... Will They Narrow Differences?

Speaker of the National Assembly Park Byeong-seok (center), Democratic Party Floor Leader Yoon Ho-jung (right), and People Power Party Floor Leader Kim Ki-hyun are showing the agreement on forming a consultative body for the amendment of the Press Arbitration Act and the submission to the plenary session on September 27, at the Speaker's office in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 31st of last month. (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Kum Boryeong] The ruling and opposition parties began re-discussing the amendment to the "Act on the Mediation and Relief of Damage in the Press" (Press Arbitration Act) on the 8th, but it remains uncertain whether they can narrow their differences.

The Democratic Party and the People Power Party will hold the first meeting of the "8-member consultative body" for discussions on the Press Arbitration Act amendment at the National Assembly in the afternoon. The consultative body will guide the direction of the amendment until the 26th, and on the 27th, both parties plan to submit the agenda to the plenary session of the National Assembly.

As the name "consultative body" implies mutual cooperation and discussion, but given the sharp conflicts over several issues, it is expected that the meeting will not proceed easily. The biggest points of contention are the punitive damages system, presumption of intentional or gross negligence, and the right to request article viewing blockage. The Democratic Party insists on discussing the existing amendment bill, while the People Power Party maintains that these are toxic clauses that must be deleted. Choi Hyung-doo, a People Power Party lawmaker included in the consultative body as the opposition party's member, said in a phone interview with Asia Economy, "We will debate what is necessary for the people, the international community, and press freedom." On this day, the ruling and opposition parties are also expected to express differing opinions regarding the future meeting schedule, the selection of the chairperson, and whether the meetings will be open to the public.

The 8-member consultative body includes Democratic Party members Kim Jong-min and Kim Yong-min, lawyer Kim Pil-seong, and Professor Song Hyun-joo of Hallym University Media School. Lawyer Kim and Professor Song are known supporters of introducing the Press Arbitration Act amendment. From the People Power Party, lawmaker Choi, Jeon Ju-hye, Professor Moon Jae-wan of Hankuk University of Foreign Studies Law School, and Dr. Shin Hee-seok of Yonsei University Law School participate. Dr. Shin is the person who wrote a letter pointing out the toxic clauses of the Press Arbitration Act amendment and secured a recommendation for revision at the United Nations (UN) level.

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