Governor denies opinion-rigging allegations

South Gyeongsang Province Governor Kim Kyoung-soo denied all allegations before meeting a team led by special counsel Huh Ik-bum to undergo questioning in a building in Gangnam, southern Seoul, Monday. Korea Times phto by Shim Hyun-chul

By Lee Kyung-min

South Gyeongsang Province Governor Kim Kyoung-soo denied all allegations that he attended a “presentation” where an influential blogger, known by his nickname Druking, showed how an automated program could be used to manipulate online opinions. The blogger is the central figure in an opinion-rigging scandal, allegedly masterminded by a group of his followers.

Before meeting a team led by special counsel Huh Ik-bum to undergo questioning, Kim urged the team to “find the truth.”

“I was the first to demand a special counsel investigation as soon as the scandal emerged,” Kim said in front of a building in Gangnam, southern Seoul. “I have made it clear on numerous occasions that I would submit to questioning much more grueling than the counsel's probe. The public – as much as I – wants the truth. I hope the investigation finds out what really happened, and does not become one that politically divides the public.”

When asked whether he had attended the “presentation,” Kim said, “That never happened.” The comment contradicts a claim by the blogger who said Kim came to the group's office in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, in November 2016, and gave tacit approval to use of the program. Kim, the blogger said, “nodded” and “looked highly impressed” after his group showed him how the program could increase the number of likes and dislikes for online comments.

When asked whether he offered a member of the group a consul general post in Sendai, Japan, Kim said no.

The denial goes against the blogger's claim that Kim offered the “lower-profile” consul post as a means to “let him down easy” for dismissing his recommendation to appoint a lawyer, surnamed Do, a key member of the group, as consul general in Osaka, Japan. The blogger, who made the recommendation expecting a “reward” for the group's months-long campaign efforts to successfully boost the popularity of then-candidate Moon Jae-in and the liberal Democratic Party Korea (DPK), considered the move an “insult” and began using the same program to lead a smear campaign against them.

The team could press charges against Kim over suspected obstruction of business presuming Kim conspired with the blogger to manipulate online comments that resulted in interference with online content on the nation's two largest portals, Naver and Daum. The charge is punishable by a prison term of up to five years and a fine of up to 15 million won ($12,000).

Kim was also questioned over an allegation that he asked the blogger for help with his campaign in the June 13 local elections in return for a consul general post. However, the move to convict Kim for suspected Election Law violation is largely considered far-fetched as the team is unlikely to establish a probable connection between Kim's offer and the election campaign. The local elections took place two months ago, long after the blogger had already turned against Kim. The six-month statute of limitations on offences concerning the presidential election period expired last November.

The team said it may consider seeking an arrest warrant for Kim if he continues to deny the accusations, as he could attempt to destroy evidence against his statements thus far. The entire questioning will be recorded for preservation, it added, and will be used for further reference in pointing out possible inconsistencies in his statements. Key senior members of the team streamed the session in real time. Many observers view the investigation could hurt the political career of Kim, considered one of the most viable candidates in the next presidential election.