'Druking Comment Manipulation' Kim Kyung-soo Sentenced to 2 Years in Prison... "Governor Position Revoked"
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] Kim Kyung-soo, Governor of Gyeongnam Province, who was indicted in connection with the 'Druking comment manipulation' case, has been sentenced to prison by the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court's 2nd Division (Presiding Justice Lee Dong-won) on the 21st at 10:15 a.m. dismissed both the appeals from the special prosecutor and Kim Kyung-soo in the appeal trial on charges including computer-related obstruction of business and violation of the Public Official Election Act, upheld only the obstruction of business charge as guilty, and confirmed the original sentence of two years imprisonment.
With the prison sentence confirmed, Kim Kyung-soo will undergo re-incarceration procedures. He will also be stripped of his position as governor. Elected officials are disqualified from office if they are sentenced to a fine of 1 million won or more for violating the Public Official Election Act, or if a prison sentence of imprisonment or higher is confirmed in a general criminal case.
Previously, Kim Kyung-soo was indicted on charges of conspiring with Kim Dong-won, known as 'Druking,' and his associates to manipulate public opinion using an automated program (macro) called 'King Crab' from November 2016 to help the then Democratic Party presidential candidate Moon Jae-in win the election.
He was also charged with violating the Public Official Election Act for allegedly proposing the position of Consul General in Sendai, Japan, to Kim Dong-won’s side in 2017, agreeing to continue comment manipulation through the local elections.
The first trial court found all charges against Kim Kyung-soo guilty. He was sentenced to two years imprisonment for comment manipulation and ten months imprisonment with a two-year probation for violating the Public Official Election Act.
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However, the second trial court found Kim Kyung-soo guilty of comment manipulation and sentenced him to two years imprisonment, but acquitted him of the Public Official Election Act violation charge.
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