Plan to curb media access is set

Prime Minister Goh Kun yesterday agreed with a proposal by the Government Information Agency to establish an integrated briefing room for the press in the central government building in Gwanghwamun, central Seoul. The prime minister’s office will be the only government agency housed in the complex to have its own facility for meeting with reporters.
Jo Young-dong, the head of the information agency, added that reporters covering the prime minister’s office will also have a second room available for preparing and sending their reports. Reporters covering other ministries will work in the central briefing room.
The information agency had originally proposed that the briefing room for the complex be located in an annex behind the main building; Mr. Goh, however, reportedly overruled that proposal and directed that the facility be housed in the main building.
The single-source media coverage plans are a part of a “media reform” plan devised by the Blue House. The plan also restricts reporters’ access to government officials in their offices.
The timing of the change is unclear, as is the fate of press rooms at the government complex that houses most economic ministries in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi province.

by Lee Soo-ho