ID :
35702
Mon, 12/15/2008 - 16:12
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/35702
The shortlink copeid
Int'l journalists arrive in Seoul to look into YTN feud
By Kim Young-gyo
SEOUL, Dec. 15 (Yonhap) -- A delegation of international journalists arrived in
Seoul on Monday to look into an ongoing feud that has left South Korea's cable
news network crippled for months.
The group was sent by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), which
represents over 500,000 journalists worldwide, to conduct an inquiry into the
recent dismissal of union leaders and employees at YTN, according to the
Journalists Association of Korea. The delegation is headed by Aidan White,
general secretary of the federation.
YTN, a majority stake of which is owned by the South Korean government, penalized
employees who led a 90 day sit-in in October to protest the broadcaster's newly
appointed chief, Gu Bon-hong. Protesters physically blocked Gu from entering his
office.
Gu, who participated in President Lee Myung-bak's election campaign, was
appointed to the post in July.
The management fired six journalists who led the protest calling for Gu's
appointment to be nullified, including union president and former anchor Noh
Jong-myeon. A number of others were either suspended and given warnings or pay
cuts.
YTN's unionized workers have filed complaints with the Seoul Central District
Court, claiming Gu's appointment was illegal and thus any punitive action against
union members should be withdrawn.
White was joined by Michael Wu, the IFJ's executive committee member in the
Asia-Pacific region, who arrived in Seoul on Sunday.
The delegation was to visit YTN's labor union later Monday to conduct interviews
with laid-off workers, and is also expected to meet Gu, lawmakers and officials
at the presidential office, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the
Korea Communications Commission, the country's telecommunications regulator.
The delegation plans to hold a press briefing on Wednesday.
The international organization had released a statement in October criticizing
the South Korean government, saying it must end interference in YTN.
ygkim@yna.co.kr
SEOUL, Dec. 15 (Yonhap) -- A delegation of international journalists arrived in
Seoul on Monday to look into an ongoing feud that has left South Korea's cable
news network crippled for months.
The group was sent by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), which
represents over 500,000 journalists worldwide, to conduct an inquiry into the
recent dismissal of union leaders and employees at YTN, according to the
Journalists Association of Korea. The delegation is headed by Aidan White,
general secretary of the federation.
YTN, a majority stake of which is owned by the South Korean government, penalized
employees who led a 90 day sit-in in October to protest the broadcaster's newly
appointed chief, Gu Bon-hong. Protesters physically blocked Gu from entering his
office.
Gu, who participated in President Lee Myung-bak's election campaign, was
appointed to the post in July.
The management fired six journalists who led the protest calling for Gu's
appointment to be nullified, including union president and former anchor Noh
Jong-myeon. A number of others were either suspended and given warnings or pay
cuts.
YTN's unionized workers have filed complaints with the Seoul Central District
Court, claiming Gu's appointment was illegal and thus any punitive action against
union members should be withdrawn.
White was joined by Michael Wu, the IFJ's executive committee member in the
Asia-Pacific region, who arrived in Seoul on Sunday.
The delegation was to visit YTN's labor union later Monday to conduct interviews
with laid-off workers, and is also expected to meet Gu, lawmakers and officials
at the presidential office, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the
Korea Communications Commission, the country's telecommunications regulator.
The delegation plans to hold a press briefing on Wednesday.
The international organization had released a statement in October criticizing
the South Korean government, saying it must end interference in YTN.
ygkim@yna.co.kr
