Appeals court upholds sentence for pro-Moon governor

South Gyeongsang Province Governor Kim Kyoung-soo answers reporters' questions before attending his sentencing hearing at the Seoul High Court, Friday. / Yonhap

By Jun Ji-hye

South Gyeongsang Province Governor Kim Kyoung-soo, a close aide to President Moon Jae-in, was given a two-year prison term by an appellate court, Friday, for conspiring to manipulate public sentiment on web portals such as Naver in favor of Moon ahead of the 2017 presidential election.

The decision by the Seoul High Court poses a threat to the political fate of the high-profile governor, who has been cited as a potential presidential candidate for the ruling Democratic Party of Korea.

“Creating fair public opinions is the most important aspect in a democratic society. Those who systematically manipulate those opinions should take responsibility,” the court said in its ruling.

But the court acquitted Kim of violating the Public Official Election Act, overturning a lower court conviction.

Kim avoided being taken into custody following the court ruling as he has been on bail.

“We agreed that there was no need to cancel Kim's bail,” the court added.

The appeals court's decision came nearly two years after the lower court sentenced Kim to two years in prison for colluding with Kim Dong-won, better known as the power blogger Druking, to manipulate online voting on news articles and reader comments displayed by web portals in a bid to manipulate online opinions.

The lower court added another 10-month prison term, suspended for two years, for violating the Public Official Election Act.

Kim had been taken into custody immediately following the court ruling at the time, but was released on bail in April last year.

Following the ruling by the appellate court, Kim told reporters, “I will appeal to the Supreme Court to unearth the truth.”

If the Supreme Court upholds the high court ruling, Kim will lose his post as governor.