172 periodicals closed in South Korean drive

South Korea's military-backed government closed down 172 periodicals Thursday which the Culture Ministry said were causing social decay and juvenile delinquency. The ministry said licenses to publish had been canceled as part of the national anticorruption drive, spearheaded by the Army strong man, Lt. Gen. Chun Do Hwan.

According to journalist sources more than 10,000 journalists will be forced out of their jobs because of the current purge.