[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] As the appellate court for Gyeongnam Governor Kim Kyung-soo suddenly canceled the sentencing hearing and decided to resume arguments a day before the verdict, a rally demanding punishment for Governor Kim was held near Seoul National University of Education Station.
The conservative group Korea Patriotic Patrol Team held a rally calling for the arrest of Gyeongnam Governor Kim Kyung-soo at Exit 10 of Gyodae Station around 10:30 a.m. on the 21st. The organizers stated, "With Druking's confession out, the entire nation knows that Governor Kim is a criminal," and added, "We will not stop the rally until the day Governor Kim is arrested."
Participants held placards reading "Kim Kyung-soo is a criminal" and "Cho Kuk is a criminal," chanting slogans. Kim Sung-hee (59), who attended the rally, said, "Governor Kim should have already been arrested, but it seems the court is not imposing proper punishment, so I came to the rally," and added, "I will attend rallies until Governor Kim is punished." About ten conservative YouTubers also gathered to broadcast the rally live.
Approximately 200 conservative citizens attended the rally, urging punishment for Governor Kim. The rally organizers plan to continue the demonstration by moving from near Gyodae Station to the East Gate of the Seoul Central District Court.
At the time of the rally, traffic congestion occurred near Gyodae Station. The rally occupied two of the three one-way lanes toward Seocho Station for about 50 meters. Passing vehicles honked their horns to express their protest against the rally. Kim Jin-sook (68), a passerby, said, "The rally participants blocked not only the road but also the sidewalk, making it inconvenient to pass."
Meanwhile, the appellate court for Governor Kim, the Seoul High Court Criminal Division 2 (Chief Judge Cha Moon-ho), decided to resume arguments the day before the sentencing on the 21st. Resuming arguments means that before writing the verdict, the court intends to ask additional questions to Governor Kim, his lawyers, and the special prosecution team.
The court stated, "We have tentatively concluded that Governor Kim saw Druking's 'King Crab demonstration,'" but also said, "We have not reached a final conclusion in the current state." This essentially means the court will make a legal judgment on the 'accomplice relationship' between Governor Kim and Druking, which can be interpreted as a complete rejection of the defense arguments that Governor Kim's side has been asserting.
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