South Korean judges on Friday ordered the immediate arrest of three major newspaper owners on embezzlement and tax evasion charges.
But after two days of hearings, the court, after hearing what opponents have said is a political motivated campaign, rejected prosecutors' applications for the arrest of one other owner and a top newspaper executive on the same charges.
The President of the Chosun Ilbo South Korea's biggest newspaper, Bang Sang-Hoon, joint owner of the Dong-A Ilbo Kim Byung-Kwan, and Cho Hee-Joon who controls the Kukmin Daily, were arraigned by the Seoul district court.
All could face prison terms and heavy fines if found guilty.
But the applications against Kim Byung-Kun also joint owner of the Dong-A, and Yi Tae-Su a former director of the Korea Daily were rejected because the court said there was not enough evidence.
The newspapers involved and the political opposition say the criminal investigation is part of a political campaign against the media to stop criticism of President Kim Dae-Jung and his government. A criminal investigation was ordered after tax authorities accused the five of avoiding millions of dollars in corporate and inheritance tax.