The Journalists Association of Korea has its code of ethics recognised at the national level. The items stipulated are freedom and independence of the press, fair and balanced reporting, journalists’ integrity, fair and transparent information gathering, fair use of information, protection of privacy, protection of the source, prohibition of discriminatory or instigative reporting, and restriction of advertising and sales.
The Press Arbitration Commission serves as the press complaints commission that mediates between the party injured by news reporting and the news media at no cost. It helps the aggrieved party to recover any damage by requesting correction of the original news report, a statement in reply to the report, a follow-up report, and compensation for the injury. Although these instruments are in place for ethical journalistic practices, they are not always observed, and oftentimes overlooked in practice.
