Kim Nam-guk: "I want to bear Kim Kyung-soo's burden together... I will walk his path"

Namguk Kim, Member of the Democratic Party of Korea.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Soyoung] Kim Namguk, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, expressed his stance toward Kim Kyungsoo, Governor of Gyeongnam, who was sentenced to two years in prison by the Supreme Court on charges of 'Druking comment manipulation,' saying, "It is a burden that he must fully bear, but if possible, I truly want to share it with him."

On the 21st, Kim posted on his Facebook, stating, "Governor Kim's efforts to reveal the truth with all his might ultimately ended in vain," and added, "I feel heavy-hearted and very sorry."

He wrote, "Until the day he returns to us, I will take on the duties that Governor Kim Kyungsoo must fulfill," and "I will walk his path together with comrades." He also added, "Do not lose courage, stay healthy, and stay strong."

The Supreme Court's 2nd Division (Presiding Justice Lee Dongwon) confirmed the original sentence of two years imprisonment for Governor Kim, who was indicted on charges including computer-related obstruction of business. The charges of violating the Public Official Election Act were acquitted. With this Supreme Court ruling, Governor Kim loses his position and is barred from running for office until March 2028.

The Supreme Court stated, "There is no problem with the appellate court's judgment that Governor Kim Kyungsoo of Gyeongnam is a co-principal offender who essentially contributed to the organized comment manipulation by Kim Dongwon (52), known by the online nickname 'Druking,' and his group."

In response, Governor Kim said, "It is regrettable, but there is no longer a way to seek the truth through the court," and "I will fully bear the burden that I must endure according to the Supreme Court's ruling."

However, he added, "Just because the search for truth through the court has hit a wall does not mean the truth can change," and "My efforts to prove my innocence and reveal the truth stop here, but what the truth is and the final judgment now must be left to the people."

He also expressed, "I thank many people who have trusted and supported me so far," and "Especially, I sincerely apologize and thank the residents who actively supported the provincial administration over the past three years."

Meanwhile, earlier on December 23 last year, when former Minister Cho Kuk said, "It seems you have to walk a thorny path," in response to Professor Jung Kyungshim's four-year prison sentence, Kim Namguk stood by Cho Kuk, saying, "Still, I will firmly walk the thorny path, walking together in the rain and stones."

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