In May 2018, Byun Hee-jae became the first journalist in South Korea to be detained before a trial for his news coverage. His “crime” was practicing journalism.
He reported on an allegedly evidence tampering by South Korean prosecutors, which ultimately contributed to former President Park Geun-hye’s impeachment and imprisonment.
The trial court subsequently sentenced Byun to two years in prison, of which he served one year before being released on bail in 2019. Three other journalists from MediaWatch were also indicted. As Byun’s appeal decision draws near, he faces the possibility of even harsher punishment.
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Also, watch the full interview with Byun Hee-jae.
