Seoul mulls a closing of agency press rooms

The Korea Information Service said it is considering closing down all the press rooms at ministries in the government complexes. An integrated briefing system is likely to be introduced when the press rooms where reporters hobnob with officials are closed down.
“A briefing system is already in use at the Blue House and some ministries,” an official at the service said. “There would be an open-coverage system for news agencies. All registered reporters could enter the briefing rooms.”
The government is also reportedly considering restricting news reporters’ visits to ministry offices, a practice newly instituted at Blue House offices. The press has complained bitterly about the restrictions, and the Grand National Party said yesterday, “The new measure would severely infringe upon the public’s right to know and the freedom of the press.”