United Liberal Democrats Spokesman Chung Jin-seok urged the government Monday to release jailed newspaper owners, citing the International Press Institute¡¯s condemnation of its suppression of the press at a board meeting in Paris. Chung said the administration should listen to international and domestic opinion and release the owners so that they can have a fair trial.
He added that the government¡¯s refusal to allow bail to older owners who had fallen ill, demonstrated its blatant suppression, which was extremely regretful. Chung said the administration should be aware that the lengthy detention of the newspaper owners was intensifying social friction, and damaging to the country¡¯s international standing.
(Lee Chul-min, chulmin@chosun.com)
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