'Comment Manipulation' Governor Kim Kyung-soo's Overturn Attempt Fails... Backlash Against Supreme Court Ruling "No Matter How Far Truth Is Thrown, It Will Come Back"

Shock at 'Docheong' over Suspension of Gyeongnam Governor's Duties

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Saeyan] Kim Kyung-soo, Governor of Gyeongnam Province, who was prosecuted on charges related to the 'Druking comment manipulation' case, has been sentenced to 2 years in prison. As a result, Governor Kim's duties have been suspended, and he will lose the right to run for election for 5 years after completing his sentence.

On the 21st, the Supreme Court's 2nd Division (Presiding Justice Lee Dong-won) upheld the lower court's ruling sentencing Governor Kim to 2 years in prison on charges of comment manipulation.

However, the Supreme Court acquitted him of charges related to violations of the Public Official Election Act, consistent with the lower court's decision.

The Supreme Court ruling came about 8 months after Governor Kim was sentenced to 2 years in prison at the appellate court in November last year.

Governor Kim's side argued during the Supreme Court trial that he was unaware of the existence of the 'King Crab' comment ranking manipulation program, but the Supreme Court did not accept this claim.

Additionally, the Supreme Court rejected the special prosecutor's claim that the offer of the Consul General position in Sendai, Japan, to Governor Kim was a bribe in exchange for promising to carry out comment manipulation for the local elections.

The court stated, "There is no error in the lower court's judgment regarding the limits of free evaluation of evidence, misapplication of law concerning the establishment of joint criminal responsibility, contradictions in reasoning, or omission of judgment."

With the prison sentence confirmed, Governor Kim is expected to be incarcerated at Changwon Prison, known to be the correctional facility for his residential jurisdiction. He was sentenced to 2 years in prison and detained during the first trial but was released on bail in April 2019 after 77 days.

Governor Kim's charges mainly involve two aspects: 'comment manipulation' and 'violation of the Public Official Election Act.' Since November 2016, he has been under investigation by Special Prosecutor Heo Ik-beom for allegedly observing a demonstration of the 'King Crab' program with 'Druking' Kim.

Furthermore, he has been on trial for allegedly proposing the Consul General position in Sendai, Japan, to Kim in 2017 as part of a plan to continue comment manipulation until the local elections (violation of the Public Official Election Act).

He was found guilty of comment manipulation charges in both the first and second trials. Regarding the Public Official Election Act violation, he was found guilty in the first trial but acquitted in the second.

After receiving the verdict, Governor Kim left the provincial office and said, "It is regrettable, but there is no way to pursue the truth through the court anymore," adding, "However, the truth cannot be changed. No matter how far the truth is thrown, it will come back."

He continued, "I will leave the final judgment of what the truth is to the people," and expressed, "I am grateful and sorry to those who have trusted and supported me all this time."

Following the confirmation of Governor Kim's conviction, the atmosphere at the Gyeongnam Provincial Office was reportedly shaken. While some viewed the ruling as expected, others were deeply affected by the loss of hope in the 'half-truth' that Governor Kim had maintained.

A representative of the Gyeongnam Provincial Government Employees' Union said, "There are concerns about a potential administrative vacuum," and added, "It is very regrettable that the authority will be operated under an acting system at a time when momentum is needed for projects like the Southeast Mega City initiative."

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