The Grand National Party¡¯s Deputy Senior Spokesman Chang Kwang-keun said Tuesday that the release on bail of Chosun Ilbo President Bang Sang-hoon was welcomed despite being belated. Chang added the arrest of newspaper owners was an attempt at intimidation and gagging critical media. He noted that the court citing that there was no fear of flight, or destruction of evidence backed what the GNP had said many times, and an admission that the government¡¯s reasons for arresting the owners were unjustifiable.
Chung continued the GNP would extend its respects to Bang, who had endured hardship stoically and without compromise in defending the freedom of the press.
The United Liberal Democrats¡¯ Spokesman Chung Jin-seok also welcomed the Chosun Ilbo president¡¯s release, saying that the court had accepted his party¡¯s request for a trial without detention. Chung urged the release of the Kookmin Ilbo owner, the last to remain in custody, to ensure a fair trial.
(Choi Ku-shik, qs1234@chosun.com)
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