Roh spoke of nationalizing press, rival candidate says; he denies it

A leading presidential candidate in the Millennium Democratic Party, Roh Moo-hyun, said last summer that he would nationalize major newspapers, an aide to a rival candidate charged Thursday.

Mr. Roh denied having expressed any such intention, and five witnesses who could corroborate or dispute the alleged remarks chose to remain silent.

"Candidate Roh met with five broadcast and newspaper reporters at a Korean restaurant in Yeouido, Seoul, on Aug. 1, 2001," Kim Yun-su, a special aide to rival candidate Rhee In-je, said at a press conference.

"He stressed how important it is for national growth, unity and reform that the media unite their voices in one direction," Mr. Kim said. "Mr. Roh said that he would 'nationalize major newspapers should I become president'."

When asked how he would nationalize the newspapers, Mr. Roh reportedly said, "The Bank of Korea can buy up newspaper companies' stocks by issuing government bonds."

At the dinner, Mr. Roh asserted that ownership by individual families of media companies should be limited, according to Mr. Kim. South Korea's major newspapers are family owned and operated.

"Should I become president, I will ask that Chairman Kim Byung-kwan of Dong-a Ilbo resign. If he refuses, I will close down the paper," Mr. Kim quoted Mr. Roh as saying.

Mr. Roh, a human-rights-lawyer-turned politician, vehemently denied having made the comments. "The idea of nationalizing major newspapers never entered my mind," said Mr. Roh, adding: "I did not make the remarks."

Mr. Roh's special aide for public relations, Yoo Jong-pil, said, "The claims coming from Mr. Rhee's side are false and fabricated."

The five reporters who were at the summer dinner took an official position of neither confirming nor denying whether Mr. Roh made the remarks, apparently because the conversation that evening was understood to be off the record. But the JoongAng Ilbo has learned that Mr. Kim's account is substantially accurate.

by Song Sang-hoon