hankyoreh

President Roh Moo-hyun criticized the conservative media Sunday for destabilizing democratic forces and clinging to privileges, as his government remained locked in a standoff with media outlets over his push to close most of pressrooms in government offices.

"The media should change. They shouldn't insist on their privileges or try to become political forces. They should become media which are faithful to reporting the facts in a fair, responsible manner," Roh said in a speech marking the 1987 pro-democracy movement that pushed the military-backed regime of former Army general Chun Doo-hwan to introduce a direct presidential voting system.

"This is the last remaining reform task," he said.

Last month, Roh's government announced it would integrate dozens of pressrooms installed in government agencies into three joint press briefing rooms and limit journalists' access to government officials.

The plan ignited a political debate, as media organizations and opposition lawmakers argued that the measures would weaken the media's watchdog role over the government. Roh countered by saying the measures are aimed at putting an end to collusive ties between journalists and officials and at introducing advanced briefing systems.

"Conservative media outlets, which in the past acted as the cat's paw of dictatorial leaders by branding democratic citizens as violent protesters and blinding and deafening the people, have now emerged as political forces that shake up democratic forces and take the lead in protecting the interests of conservatives," Roh said. Critics say Roh was largely aiming at South Korea's three major conservative newspapers -- Chosun, JoongAng and Dong-A, which control about 70 percent of the print media here. The papers have criticized Roh's various reforms and his engagement policy on North Korea as leftist and undermining South Korea's security posture.

Roh's speech came as his government amended a law in May to designate June 10 the anniversary of the 1987 protests. About 3,000 politicians, activists and ordinary citizens from all walks of life took part in the ceremony held at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Seoul.

Chun, the former dictator, ruled South Korea with an iron-fist after he seized power in a military coup in 1980. His predecessor, Park Chung-hee, also a former Army general, was in power for 18 years before he was assassinated by his intelligence chief in 1979.

SEOUL, June 10 (Yonhap News)