Human Rights Watch Raps Gov't Over Defamation Laws

Today on the Korea Times Podcast: Human Rights Watch issued a warning to the South Korean government over treatment of journalists following the Blue House filed lawsuitsagainst several members of the press.

Host Steve Miller also provides the latest update on Heather Cho's "nut rage" and how it might have her end up in court.

Plus stories of murder and dismemberment in Suwon and how Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe'srecent victory could spell trouble for Korean businesses.

Human Rights Watch warns gov't on 'memogate'

The South Korean government should stop using criminal defamation laws to "silence the media," Human Rights Watch said Monday, referring to actions taken against sixSegye Ilbo reporters and Japanese journalist Tatsuya Kato.

"The South Korean government should stop bringing criminal defamation charges against journalists for simply doing their jobs, and pledge to reform laws to endcriminalization of defamation," said the organization's Asia deputy director Phil Robertson.

Cheong Wa Dae officials have filed lawsuits against reporters and staff members at the Segye Ilbo, after the newspaper broke a story about a presidential document that wasleaked to the media

Heather Cho likely to face trial

Former Korean Air Vice President Heather Cho is likely to face trial for violating the country's Aviation Safety Law, prosecutors said Monday.

She will be summoned for questioning Wednesday over allegations that she used abusive language and violence toward flight attendants and ordered a plane to return tothe gate last week, angered by how macadamia nuts were served to her

Aviation law bans any behavior that disturbs aircraft operations by either force orauthority. Also, passengers are not allowed to yell or use violent language for safety reasons.

Any violator could face up to 10 years in jail.

Korean Chinese at a loss

The arrest of Park Chun-bong, a Korean-Chinese murder suspect, is...