Press Watchdog Calls Tax Probe Of Media Companies a 'Muzzle'

The government reacted angrily Thursday to suggestions by an international watchdog agency that tax probes of Korean media companies were an attempt to squelch a free press. Oh Hong-keun, head of the Government Information Agency, said Thursday that the letter from Johann P. Fritz, director of the International Press Institute, was disrespectful and an interference in Korean domestic affairs. He asked for an apology.

Mr. Fritz's letter, sent Wednesday to President Kim Dae-jung, condemning the probes as "an ongoing attempt to muzzle the critical voice of the independent press in South Korea." He threatened to put Korea on his agency's "watch list" and asked for outside mediation of the government-press dispute.

Mr. Oh replied, "The demand only means that the government should tacitly consent and assist illegal deeds committed by media companies."