S. Korean Newspaper Owners Trial Starts TodaySouth Korean Seoul District Court announced Sunday that the first hearings in the trials of the president of the Chosun Ilbo, Bang Sang-hoon, former honorary chairman of the Donga Ilbo Kim Byung-kwan and ex vice president Kim Byung-kon will take place Monday at 2:00pm. President Bang's trial is listed to take place in the criminal courts division in hearing room Criminal-30, while the two Kim's will commence in Criminal-21.Harsh confrontation is expected over defense claims concerning a concerted effort by the government to halt criticism of it through a political and unrealistic investigation, and the prosecutions allegations of embezzlement and tax evasion. The trials of Cho Hee-joon, former chairman of the Kookmin Ilbo and eight other media executives indicted without custody including Chang Jae-keun of the Hankook Ilbo will commence September 28. The owners and executives are being tried for alleged tax evasion and embezzlement. |
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