Stop controlling press Ruling party should scrap ill-conceived bills The ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) has drawn criticism for submitting a package of bills that would undermine freedom of the press following its humiliating defeat in the April 7 mayoral by-elections in Seoul and Busan. For one thing, the DPK is attempting to put the Press Arbitration Commission (PAC), an independent organization, under the control of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in the name of "media reform." It is also seeking to introduce a bill which it says is to stem "fake news" by imposing incommensurate penalties on media outlets that show such content.