Prosecution Appeals Suspended Sentence for Insult Charges Against Changwon City Councilor Kim Mina

The prosecution has appealed the first-instance verdict against Kim Mina, a member of the Changwon Special City Council in Gyeongnam, who was indicted on charges of insulting the bereaved families of the Itaewon disaster and members of the Cargo Solidarity Union.

According to the legal community on the 26th, the Criminal Division 2 of the Masan Branch of the Changwon District Prosecutors' Office recently filed an appeal with the Masan Branch of the Changwon District Court, citing the sentence as unjust.

Earlier, on the 19th, Councilor Kim received a suspended sentence of three months' imprisonment at the first trial held at the Masan Branch.

A suspended sentence means that although the crime is acknowledged, the sentencing is postponed for a certain period, and if no issues arise within two years from the date of suspension, the sentence is exempted.

If during the suspension period, a sentence of disqualification or higher is confirmed or a prior conviction with such a sentence is found, the suspended sentence will be enforced.

After the first trial verdict, Kim Mina, a member of the Changwon Special City Council in Gyeongnam, was surrounded by reporters as she left the courtroom.
[Photo by Lee Seryeong]

At that time, the court handed down a different ruling from the prosecution’s request for a fine of 3 million won against Councilor Kim.

The court stated, “The defendant’s crime caused great harm to more than 200 victims,” and added, “Considering that the post was made while holding a public position and likely had a significant impact, and that the victims have not forgiven the defendant, the culpability is not light.”

“However, taking into account the defendant’s admission of wrongdoing and remorseful attitude, the pledge not to commit such crimes again, the apology expressed through some media, and the absence of prior criminal punishment, the sentence was determined,” the court ruled.

It further explained, “Although the prosecution’s request for a fine was considered, given the nature of the crime committed by the defendant and the defendant’s social status, a prison sentence was chosen as the main type of punishment, but a sentence such as probation that deprives the defendant of their position was avoided.”

Earlier, Councilor Kim was accused of posting derogatory remarks about the bereaved families of the Itaewon disaster and members of the Cargo Solidarity Union on her social networking service (SNS) last December.

Regarding the Itaewon disaster that occurred in November last year, she wrote, “The bereaved families who kill the souls who went to heaven at such a young age like flowers for the second time,” “There are rumors that they are selling their children,” “Did they die saving the country?” “Those from the Democratic Party have milked the yellow ribbon for about 8 to 9 years, and now how much will they milk the black ribbon?” and “Corpse-selling scoundrels.”

About the Cargo Solidarity Union, she allegedly wrote, “Those ridiculous bastards who dare to rebel against the country without fear,” posted a photo of Lee Bong-ju, the head of the Cargo Solidarity Union, and added, “They look damn miserable.”