Gominjeong on Kim Kyungsoo's Guilty Verdict: "If You Only Eat, You'll Get Indigestion... The Truth Returns to Its Place"

'Comment Manipulation Conspiracy' Kim Kyung-soo Sentenced to 2 Years in Prison

Ko Min-jung, member of the Democratic Party of Korea. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Amid the confirmation of a 2-year prison sentence for Kim Kyung-soo, Governor of Gyeongnam Province, who was prosecuted on charges related to the 'Druking comment manipulation' case, Go Min-jeong, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, expressed on the 22nd that "I feel nauseous every time I eat, yesterday and today." Go and Governor Kim both served as spokespersons for Moon Jae-in's presidential campaign in 2017.

In a post on her Facebook page that day, Go said, "What should I say first? What words can truly express my feelings? What words can calm this heart that feels like my knees are buckling?"

She added, "The computer cursor keeps blinking in front of me, but I can't write anything," and "When I try to recall memories of the governor, it feels like I'm sending him away forever, so I don't want to do that."

Go also said, "If I grieve, it feels like I've become a loser, so I don't want to do that either," and "If I don't say anything, I can't endure it, so I'm writing a few words."

Along with this, she left the hashtag 'No matter how far the truth is thrown, it returns to its place.' This was a phrase Governor Kim said in front of the Gyeongnam Provincial Office after the guilty verdict.

Governor Kim Kyung-soo, who was sentenced to two years in prison for his involvement in the 'Druking comment manipulation' case, is seen reflecting while making a statement at the Gyeongnam Provincial Government Office on the 21st.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Earlier, the Supreme Court's 2nd Division (Presiding Justice Lee Dong-won) on the 21st upheld the original sentence of 2 years in prison for Governor Kim in the appeal trial on charges of comment manipulation. Regarding the violation of the Public Official Election Act, the court ruled not guilty, consistent with the lower court's decision.

The court stated, "There is no error in the original judgment recognizing guilt that exceeds the limits of free evaluation of evidence, nor any legal misinterpretation, contradictory reasoning, or omission of judgment regarding the establishment of joint principal offenders in conspiracy."

Previously, Governor Kim was prosecuted on charges including computer obstruction of business for conspiring with Kim Dong-won, known as 'Druking,' and his associates from November 2016 to manipulate public opinion using an automated program (macro) called 'King Crab' to ensure the election of Moon Jae-in, the Democratic Party's presidential candidate. He was also charged with violating the Public Official Election Act for allegedly proposing the position of Consul General in Sendai, Japan, to Kim's side in the following year to continue the comment manipulation.

With the prison sentence confirmed, Governor Kim is no longer able to perform his duties as governor under the Local Public Officials Act. He is expected to be incarcerated soon.

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