JoongAng Ilbo Accuses NCNP Spokesman

JoongAng Ilbo has referred spokesman Lee Yeong Il of the National Congress for New Politics (NCNP) to the prosecution on the suspicion that Lee brought disgrace on JoongAng Ilbo by saying an executive at JoongAng Ilbo gave the press gagging document to the Grand National Party lawmaker Chung Hyung-keun.
JoongAng Ilbo said, 'Except for the reporter Moon Il-hyun, who wrote the document, nobody at JoongAng Ilbo was involved in the writing and delivering of the document. So, we don't know how the lawmaker Chung obtained the document. However, the spokesman Lee alleged to reporters on October 27 that an executive at JoongAng Ilbo delivered the document to Chung. This has damaged the honor of JoongAng Ilbo.'
The newpaper company insisted, 'Another NCNP party member, whose name is as yet unknown, said that this document was designed by JoongAng Ilbo to damage the ruling party and to garner the support of other newspapers.'
JoongAng Ilbo also referred to the prosecution NCNP vice-spokesman Kim Hyun-mi, who said on October 13, 'JoongAng Ilbo's threat to obstruct the arrest of its president Hon Seok-hyun was pugnacious and obstinate.'
Kang Joo-an : jooan@joongang.co.kr