hankyoreh

Reporters on strike from Sisa Journal, one of the major weekly news magazines in Korea, declared yesterday that they were separating from the company. The announcement comes a year after the reporters went on strike against the company’s decision to eliminate an article without the prior-agreement of the journalists who had written it. The journalists, meanwhile, have reportedly decided to set up a their own weekly publication.

The news magazine’s union held a press conference in front of the company building in Seodaemun on June 26, saying, ‘‘We have been struggling for air, but have decided to tender our resignations and break off relations with Sisa Journal so that we can breathe new life into the independent press.’’ All 22 reporters plan to tender their resignations later this week.

The decision was made based upon the fact that union leaders had waged a hunger strike since June 18, with no change in the management’s position. Union leaders Jeong Hui-sang, leader of the labor union, and Kim Eun-nam, its secretary-general, had stationed themselves in front of the house of Sim Sang-gi, chairman of the Seoul Media Group, which owns the Sisa Journal. Sim, however, managed to avoide his house for the duration of the hunger strike and refused to accept the union’s request for dialogue. The unionists then held a general meeting on June 25 and determined to cut relations with the company.

The so-called ‘‘Sisa Journal Incident’’ began on June 16, 2007 when Keum Chang-tae, president of the media company, chose to eliminate an article about corporate-giant Samsung from the publication without the agreement of the editor. Despite the rumor that the magazine would be sold to a third party, the crisis is about to be brought to an end, with reporters resolving the situation by handing in their resignations.

In response, Park Gyeong-hwan, executive director of the company, expressed his regret. He continued, ‘‘Even if the reporters leave the company, the magazine will continue to be published with our remaining staff.’’

The unionists plan to publish a new weekly to carry on the spirit of independent journalism. Civic organizations and religious groups, meanwhile, have reportedly expressed interest in investing in the new endeavor. The union plans to hold a press conference to officially announce the move to found the news outlet on July 2.

Please direct questions or comments to [englishhani@hani.co.kr]