Korea's defense ministry and the country's largest association of journalists signed a gentleman's agreement Monday on how military contingencies like North Korea's 2010 artillery attack on the South should be covered without compromising national security.
The ministry and the Journalists Association of Korea have worked out the agreement in seven months of talks as the ministry sought cooperation from the press mainly to ensure that military secrets are spared from news reports on such contingencies.
Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin and Park Jong-ryul, the head of the association, signed the accord.
Under the agreement, the ministry promised to provide the press with correct and swift information and other necessary arrangements in the event of an emergency situation that can "gravely affect" national security.
It also calls for the military to come up with safety measures for reporters and set up a press center near the scene of military operations, if necessary.
The reporters' association agreed to take note of the fact that it may benefit the enemy to publish reports on military operations, such as where and how much equipment is deployed, where military units are stationed and how information on the enemy is collected.
The press association also agreed to respect basic reporting rules asked by military units when reporting on operational plans and other secrets.
The agreement also calls for reporters to abide by off-limit zones and respect the human rights of service members killed or wounded in action. (Yonhap)