The presidential office Monday urged journalists and representatives of media related civic groups to accept President Roh Moo-hyun's proposal to hold a live TV debate on his government's plan to close most of the pressrooms at government offices by August.
The Journalists Association of Korea (JAK) turned down Roh's offer, insisting that five prerequisites for the debate with the president remain unanswered.
They include joint inspection of pressrooms in advanced countries and an immediate halt to the pressroom closure plan.
Presidential spokesman Cheon Ho-seon said, ``We cannot understand why reporters and their representatives are reluctant to participate in the debate.''
