Roh’s Aide Requested to Apologize
By Kim Yon-se
Staff Reporter
Presidential publicity secretary Yang Jung-chul is drawing mockery as he likened himself to the six loyal subjects, known as ``sayuksin,’’ during the Joseon Kingdom.
A group of descendents of the six royal subjects said they will send a letter of protest to Yang, demanding an official apology.
Yang has said he could be a presidential secretary as much as the six royal subjects after some lawmakers criticized the Roh Moo-hyun administration for planning to close pressrooms and described Yang, one of the figures who pushed the policy, as a treacherous subject.
On Saturday, the descendents held a meeting to take countermeasures against Yang’s remarks. They agreed that his expression is inappropriate and may undermine the lofty fidelity of their six ancestors.
``It does not seem that (he) decried the six subjects intentionally,’’ a leader of the group said. ``If secretary Yang refuses to make an apology, we will consider additional action.’’
Under the strong willingness of President Roh Moo-hyun, Yang and several other figures have pushed for the policy to shut down most of the 37 pressrooms at ministries and government agencies.
A majority of lawmakers and advocate groups say the policy is not media reform but rather repression of the media.
In the 15th century, King Sejo of the Joseon Kingdom killed the six royal subjects for upholding the previous King Tanjong.