Former Blue House secretaries who were prosecuted for conspiring with the Military Security Command during the Lee Myung-bak administration to conduct online comment manipulation by soldiers received suspended prison sentences in the first trial.
The Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 33 (Presiding Judge Kim Dong-hyun) on the 9th sentenced former Blue House New Media Office Secretary Kim Cheol-gyun to one year in prison with a two-year suspension, and former Secretary Lee Ki-young to one year and six months in prison with a three-year suspension on charges including abuse of authority and obstruction of the exercise of rights.
Kim and others are accused of engaging in online political activities through the so-called ‘Seupateam’ (Sparta Team), a comment manipulation organization under the Military Security Command, from July 2011 to February 2013.
The court stated, “The defendants held positions that were entrusted with great expectations to conduct legitimate promotional activities as public institutions responsible for government administration publicity, yet they requested activities that seriously undermined the political neutrality obligation of the Military Security Command.”
It added, “The defendants’ crimes appear to have hindered the healthy and free formation of public opinion among the people,” and “These crimes were committed with the purpose of regime re-creation, greatly betraying the public’s expectations and trust in the government and the military, making them highly blameworthy.”
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