[Newsmaker] Singapore expels KBS reporters

Two reporters from South Korean state-run broadcaster KBS returned to Korea on Saturday night, after being accused of criminal trespassing into the residence of the North Korean ambassador in Singapore.

According to the Singapore Police Force, “Two South Korean men, aged 42 and 45, who were representing the Korean Broadcasting System News were arrested in relation to the case,” which occurred at about 3:50 p.m. on Thursday.

Apart from the two arrested and expelled, a 31-year-old South Korean man also representing KBS and a 29-year-old South Korean man who served as a guide and interpreter for the group have also been placed under investigation.

The three men directly employed by KBS were not accredited media personnel in Singapore, according to Singapore police.

Singaporean law dictates that anyone convicted of criminal trespass under Section 447 of the Penal Code, Chapter 224, may be punished with imprisonment of up to three months, a fine of up to $1,500, or both.

The Singapore Police Force reminded “all foreigners visiting Singapore to abide by our laws,” adding, “Members of the media who commit any offense in Singapore will not be accredited and thus will not be able to cover the Summit between the US and North Korea.”

More than 300 South Korean reporters plan to visit Singapore to cover the US-North Korea summit set for Tuesday, according to the Korea Press Foundation.

By Lim Jeong-yeo (kaylalim@heraldcorp.com)