Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Adventurer]

Protection of Political Expression

Dear editor,

I recently read Michael Breen's April 24 article entitled ``Prosecutors Protecting the Nation." I agreed essentially with his arguments. I think the government is going way too far when it comes to suppressing freedom of expression.

Web blogger Park Dae-sung, better known as Minerva, should have the right to express himself regarding political and economic issues without being threatened.

Arresting him in South Korea would be akin to the FBI arresting American economist Paul Krugman for saying unpopular things regarding economics before last year's crash.

There is a thin line between engaging in such suppression and moving toward a dictatorship. Certainly, South Korea is not a dictatorship, but it is increasingly looking more like a police state.

Certainly, it does not help that there are certain leftist elements that are subversive, that have no problem with engaging in mendacities to stir up the masses. That said, it does not call for a political witch-hunt atmosphere.

Many foreigners support President Lee Myung-bak, because he has many foreigner-friendly policies, and the perception that many leftists in Korea are xenophobic.

Thus, they are more likely to side with the President. Many foreigners believe there is not enough law enforcement in South Korea, and they welcome his crackdowns. But others are more critical of his approach, because it can be a slippery slope.

Reducing opposition to right wing parties may, in the minds of those on the right, encourage their forces to solidify their power, so that they could win another election. It's easier to win when no one can criticize you.

I think if people are purposely spreading false information and propaganda and disturbing peace that should be addressed, but with a clear legal framework.

They would have to openly call for violent protest and what have you, a clear attempt to disturb the peace ― not by having thoughts that disturb the political peace of a certain party in power.

Basil Keilani
Ilsan, Gyeonggi Province
[email protected]

http://koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/opinon/2009/04/137_44033.html

[RACETRAITOR]

This is really the sort of thing that should've been talked about during the presidential election. All I can say is that South Korea deserves the government it elected.

[moosehead]

[diver]

[Milwaukiedave]

RT,

I for one agree with you. LMB was a train wreck waiting to happen. RMH wasn't much better as he shot his mouth off a few too many times and ended getting himself into hot water. Part of the problem with the system here is that they only have election every five years for their President and National Assembly, therefore there is no way to change the party of either body until the end of that five year period. The government swung from hard left to hard right with the last election in both branches of government. At least in the US if people are dissatisfied, they can change the makeup of Congress after 2 years. Koreans are stuck for five. It seems to me like it's time they need to make some serious changes in their system.

[RACETRAITOR]

[moosehead]

[wesharris]

[diver]

[harlowethrombey]

I certainly dont hope any newspaper dies out.

If the fourth establishment becomes the sole domain of internet bloggers we are all in big, big trouble. For every 1 blogger who does good research, verifies sources and presents responsible, reasonable journalism there are tens of thousands who just want an electronic soapbox or traffic in conspiracies and 'I heard it from my cousin'isms.

Newspapers and TV news are the only places that hire and train pools of professional journalists and, ironically, the web bloggers couldnt even exist without the AP doing more of the initial legwork even for the big stories they 'break'.

Bloggers are a welcome edition to the interweb and they should be protected by free speech rights as well.