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The entire country is watching anxiously the fates of the 23 young Koreans kidnapped by the Taliban in Afghanistan. Last Wednesday, the Taliban ruthlessly killed Rev. Bae Hyung-kyu and snuffed out the innocent life of Shim Sung-min on Tuesday. They are shooting bullets not only at them but also at the Korean public, who have been praying for the safety of their sons and daughters. At this critical moment, when the eyes of all Koreans are watching the government, it is busy merging media briefing rooms to block journalists’ access to government officials. The plan is to shut down 37 briefing rooms, leaving open only three plus three filing rooms.

When construction is over, no journalists will be allowed to remain at the four buildings in the government complex in Sejongro and in Gwacheon. This is a first since the founding of the Republic of Korea. President Roh Moo-hyun said in June of this year that he would nail down things during his term to preclude any revival of press rooms in the next administration.

This absurd measure will end when this administration ends in a few months. But the government is continuing with construction even as our own sons and daughters face possible death in Afghanistan. This whole measure came about from a personal animosity the president has toward the news media.

This administration did not even bother to meet the opposition parties during the four-and-a-half years of its term. And now it is trying to push journalists out into the streets. The Taliban do not only exist in Afghanistan.