Gyeongnam Provincial Office Without Governor Kim Kyung-soo... Officials, Opposition, and Citizens Express 'Regret' Amid Concerns

Governor Kim Heads to Wiretapping Site Immediately After Verdict, Expresses Regret: "Truth-Seeking in Court Is Over"

Gyeongnam Provincial Labor Union: "Time to Focus on Work to Ensure No Disruptions to Various Provincial Policies"

Opposition

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Saeyan] As the second trial sentence of 2 years imprisonment for Kim Kyung-soo, Governor of Gyeongnam Province involved in the Druking comment manipulation case, was confirmed, a mood of 'concern' and 'regret' prevailed at the Gyeongnam Provincial Government Office where he was the head.

On the 21st, when the Supreme Court confirmed the original judgment in Kim's appeal trial, Kim expressed his feelings as he left the main building of the Gyeongnam Provincial Government Office around 10:40 a.m.

Kim said, "It is regrettable, but there is no longer a way to proceed with finding the truth through the court," expressing deep regret. Some supporters watching this shouted, "Kim Kyung-soo is innocent!" unable to suppress their anger.

As Kim left, the Gyeongnam Provincial Government Office was engulfed in a worrying atmosphere about whether the momentum for pushing forward key issues in Gyeongnam, such as the current COVID-19 situation and the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam (Bu-Ul-Gyeong) Mega City, would decline.

Most of the government office employees were reluctant to comment on the ruling. However, they expressed regret while respecting the court's judgment.

A union official at the Gyeongnam Provincial Government Office said, "It is very unfortunate and regrettable that the provincial administration has once again shifted to an acting authority system due to the governor's confirmed guilt," adding, "It is time for public officials to devote themselves more to their work to ensure that various provincial policies being promoted so far proceed without disruption."

Political parties in the province also issued statements regarding Governor Kim's Supreme Court ruling.

The People Power Party Gyeongnam Provincial Party stated, "All damages caused by the governor's vacancy will fall on the residents," and added, "The Democratic Party, which ignored law and principles and zealously tried to 'cover for Kim Kyung-soo,' should humbly accept this trial result and apologize before the people."

The Justice Party Gyeongnam Provincial Party also said, "We respect the Supreme Court's strict judgment," and added, "Kim and the Democratic Party should apologize for causing deep concern and distrust among residents, including the provincial administration's vacancy."

The Gyeongnam provincial administration will transition to an acting authority system under Executive Vice Governor Ha Byung-pil.

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