CLIENT ALERT: Advice to the Press, Bloggers & Corporations Concerning Free Speech Protection in Korea

Cheong Wa Dae (Korea’s Office of the President) has been instrumental in the filing of 13 lawsuits against media sources. Six cases are still pending including cases against reporters/media from: Hankyoreh (Korean Liberal-leaning newspaper); Segye Ilbo (Korean Conservative-leaning newspaper); Chosun Ilbo (Korean Conservative-leaning newspaper); Sankei Shimbun (Japanese Conservative-leaning newspaper); CBS News; and A Sisa.

The majority of the cases were filed by officials at Cheong Wa Dae or by a conservative civil group that supports President Park Geun-hye.

Reporters, corporate PR departments and bloggers please be aware that, in most cases, the truth, in Korea, is not a defense to a criminal or civil defamation charge.

In these changing times, in Korea, it is best to consult with an attorney concerning any news you intend to report on concerning issues that Cheong Wa Dae considers vital. Please obtain an attorney with significant experience in Constitutional Law and litigation. Your corporate attorney may not be the best choice.

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Sean Hayes may be contacted at: SeanHayes@ipglegal.com.

Sean Hayes is co-chair of the Korea Practice Team at IPG Legal. He is the first non-Korean attorney to have worked for the Korean court system (Constitutional Court of Korea) and one of the first non-Koreans to be a regular member of a Korean law faculty. Sean is ranked, for Korea, as one of only two non-Korean lawyers as a Top Attorney by AsiaLaw.