Media Arbitration Act Passed by Culture Committee... Ruling Party Forces Approval Amid Opposition Party's Backlash

People Power Party lawmakers are protesting against the amendment to the Press Arbitration Act on the 19th in front of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul. (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Geum Bo-ryeong] The amendment to the "Act on the Mediation and Relief of Damage in the Press" (Press Mediation Act) has passed the full meeting of the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee.

On the 19th, at the full meeting of the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee, the Democratic Party of Korea forcibly passed the amendment to the Press Mediation Act by a vote. The amendment passed with 9 out of 16 members in favor. Members from the Democratic Party and Kim Eui-gyeom of the Open Democratic Party voted in favor.

Before the full meeting, the People Power Party urgently convened its members to try to block the forced passage of the Press Mediation Act amendment. They raised their voices in opposition around Do Jong-hwan, the chair of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee. They held placards with messages such as "Withdraw the gag law that blocks the eyes and ears of the people!", "Gagging the press! Press oppression! What are you afraid of!", and "Press annihilation! Press control! Democratic Party, stop it!"

The amendment passed that day is expected to go through the Legislation and Judiciary Committee on the 24th and be submitted to the plenary session on the 25th. The Democratic Party aims to complete the process within August.

After the full meeting, Lee Dal-gon, the opposition party's floor leader from the People Power Party, met with reporters and said, "Since the ruling party's Media Special Committee acted according to its intentions, the standing committee is nothing but a subordinate," and added, "I am deeply concerned that the Democratic Party might use this law to suppress the power of media expression, muzzle the press, and misuse it in preparation for the presidential election."

Choi Hyung-doo, also from the People Power Party, criticized, "We will not tolerate the destruction of the major pillars of the National Assembly Act."

The amendment to the Press Mediation Act mainly includes provisions allowing claims for punitive damages up to five times for false or fabricated reports caused by intentional or gross negligence.