Minjoo: "Half-truth, regret... Will firmly support Kim Kyung-soo's provincial administration"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Wondara] The Democratic Party of Korea expressed its position on the appellate court ruling for Kim Kyung-soo, Governor of Gyeongnam Province, calling it an "unacceptable verdict."

Kang Seon-woo, spokesperson for the Democratic Party, said at a National Assembly briefing on the afternoon of the 6th, "It is half the truth, and we express regret over Governor Kim's appellate trial," adding, "We took a step closer to the truth but ultimately did not reach it."

Spokesperson Kang stated, "Governor Kim has quietly led the Gyeongnam provincial government despite unfair suspicions and political attacks," and added, "We believe he will continue to devote himself unwaveringly to provincial administration until the remaining half of the truth is revealed by the Supreme Court, as he always has." He emphasized, "The Democratic Party will firmly support Governor Kim's 'Completely New Gyeongsangnam-do Made Together' and walk alongside the 3.5 million residents of Gyeongsangnam-do."

When asked by reporters what "half the truth" meant, Spokesperson Kang replied, "It relates to the Public Official Election Act."

Choi In-ho, senior spokesperson for the Democratic Party, also posted on his Facebook, "Stay strong, Governor Kim Kyung-soo," saying, "It is very, very regrettable. We will stand together until the remaining half of the truth is properly revealed and the Supreme Court issues a not guilty verdict."

Meanwhile, when asked about the reaction of Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party, Spokesperson Kang replied, "I have not heard anything yet." When asked if a related countermeasure meeting was scheduled, he said, "The verdict has just been announced, so nothing has been decided yet."

In response to the question, "If the Supreme Court ruling comes before March, Gyeongsangnam-do will have to hold a by-election. Will you nominate a candidate?" he said, "It does not seem appropriate to speak on the premise of the verdict."

The Seoul High Court Criminal Division 2 (Presiding Judges Ham Sang-hoon, Kim Min-ki, Ha Tae-han) sentenced Governor Kim to two years in prison for the charge of manipulating comments (obstruction of business by computer or other means), the same as the first trial. The charge of violating the Public Official Election Act, for which he was sentenced to 10 months in prison with a two-year probation in the first trial, was acquitted in the appellate trial.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.