Army officer gets suspended term for insulting president on Twitter

An Army officer received a six-month jail term, suspended for one year, from a military court for insulting President Lee Myung-bak and criticizing his controversial projects on a social networking site.

The 28-year-old Army captain, identified only by his surname Lee, was indicted by military prosecutors for posting several comments critical of Lee and his much-debated projects, including the then-planned sale of Incheon International Airport, on his Twitter account using foul language.

"As a military officer who should serve as an example, (the defendant) repeatedly posted writings insulting a person of senior rank," the military court in Ichon, south Gyoneggi Province, said in its ruling.

The court, however, suspended his jail term, citing it being the captain's first offense.

Prosecutors had sought a three-year jail sentence for Lee.

It was the first time military prosecutors have pressed charges against an active-duty officer over the use of social networking services, sparking debate over freedom of speech among military personnel.

Prosecutors claimed the officer's acts constituted a criminal offense under military law of insulting a senior ranked officer.

The defendant's lawyer argued his freedom of expression should be guaranteed, saying he legitimately criticized Lee's policies, not the president himself, as a citizen.

Lee immediately lodged an appeal to a higher military court, his lawyer said.

If the sentence is confirmed, Lee will be discharged from the service under military law, according to Army officers. (Yonhap)