Court fines photojournalist 5 million won for unauthorized trip to cover Russia-Ukraine war

The defendant went to Ukraine without applying for a travel-ban exemption from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but their lawyer argued that the exemptions do not apply to freelance journalists.

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A stone marker outside the Uijeongbu District Court in Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi

A district court fined a photojournalist 5 million won ($3,500) for illegally traveling to Ukraine in 2022 to cover its war with Russia, legal sources said on Friday.

The Goyang branch of the Uijeongbu District Court on Wednesday found Jang Jin-young guilty of violating the Passport Act in March 2022, according to the legal sources and representatives of a civic group.

Ukraine has been on Korea’s travel ban list since February 2022 following Russia’s invasion of the country.

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The court explained that Jang entered Ukraine without applying for an exemption from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It also stated that freedom of the press does not outweigh personal safety risks in a conflict zone.

Jang’s lawyer vowed to appeal, arguing the ministry’s exemptions do not apply to freelance journalists.


Yonhap

ukraine travel journalist illegal social affairs korea travel ban

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