Will Half the Truth Be Revealed Today? Supreme Court Decides Kim Kyung-soo's Fate... Gyeongnam Filled with Tension

Governor Kim Takes Leave and Awaits Results at Official Residence
Provincial Office 'In Turmoil', Parties Say 'Must Show Law and Justice Before the People'

Kim Kyung-soo, Governor of Gyeongnam Province.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Saeyan] The Supreme Court's final ruling on Kim Kyung-soo, Governor of Gyeongnam Province, who left the courtroom during the November appeal trial last year saying "only half of the truth has been revealed," is expected.

According to the court on the 21st, the Supreme Court's 2nd Division (Presiding Justice Lee Dong-won) will deliver the verdict in the appeal trial of Governor Kim, who was indicted on charges including computer-related obstruction of business and violation of the Public Official Election Act, at 10:15 a.m. that day.

If the appellate court confirms the original sentence of two years imprisonment handed down in the appeal trial, Governor Kim will lose his position and transition to an acting governor system. However, if the Supreme Court remands the case, he is likely to complete his term while undergoing a retrial.

The Supreme Court will determine whether Governor Kim can be considered an accomplice of Kim, known as "Druking." The special prosecutor has appealed the second trial's acquittal of Governor Kim on charges of violating the Public Official Election Act.

Governor Kim was asked by Kim, known as "Druking," to appoint a provincial lawyer as the Consul General in Osaka, Japan. Upon learning that this was difficult, it was investigated that the Consul General in Sendai expressed willingness to consider the appointment.

The first and second trials differed in their judgment on whether Governor Kim's actions indicated an intention to provide benefits related to "election campaigning."

The first trial ruled that "it is sufficient if benefits are provided in relation to acts that could meet the requirements for future election campaigning," found him guilty under the Public Official Election Act, and sentenced him to 10 months in prison with a two-year probation.

The second trial judged that Governor Kim's expression of willingness to provide the consul general position was unrelated to the 7th local elections, considering the circumstances at the time, and acquitted him.

As the Supreme Court ruling approaches, the provincial government office is in a tense atmosphere because the direction of provincial administration depends on the verdict regarding Governor Kim.

Shin Dong-geun, chairman of the Gyeongnam Provincial Government Employees' Union, conveyed the atmosphere at the provincial office, saying, "All employees are very interested in how the provincial administration will change depending on Governor Kim's guilt or innocence."

He also said, "We hope there will be no disruption in advancing important issues such as the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam (Bu-Ul-Gyeong) Mega City," but added, "I am worried that the momentum of provincial administration might decline if the system switches to an acting governor."

Political parties within the province are also closely watching Governor Kim's verdict. Especially, the Justice Party is paying more attention because the suicide manipulation case of former lawmaker Roh Hoe-chan is linked to the Druking incident.

No Chang-seop, a member of the Justice Party Gyeongnam Provincial Party, briefly expressed his opinion, saying, "I felt very regretful watching the Druking case," and "I do not know what conclusion the judiciary will reach, but I am waiting for the result with respect for the ruling."

The People Power Party Gyeongnam Provincial Party issued a statement on the 18th, saying, "This Supreme Court ruling will determine whether judicial justice, one of the basic principles of democracy, is functioning properly," and "We hope that judicial justice will make the right judgment while the public watches closely."

Depending on this Supreme Court ruling, attention is focused on whether Governor Kim will be freed from the Druking shackles or remain politically hampered for some time.

Meanwhile, Governor Kim is expected to take a leave of absence that day and stay at the official residence while awaiting the verdict.

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