Kim Moonsoo, a lawmaker from the Democratic Party of Korea representing Suncheon, Gwangyang, Gokseong, and Gurye-gap in South Jeolla Province, who was put on trial for indirectly disclosing the results of an internal opinion poll, has retained his parliamentary seat as the appellate court sentenced him to a fine of 900,000 won, the same as in the first trial.
The Criminal Division 1 of the Gwangju High Court (Presiding Judge Kim Jinhwan) dismissed both the prosecution's and the defendant's appeals at the appellate hearing held on June 19, stating, "The original sentence is appropriate." Under the Public Official Election Act, a conviction carrying a fine of 1 million won or more is required to nullify an election victory.
Kim was indicted in January last year for allegedly indirectly disclosing the results of an internal opinion poll on Facebook. The post in question included the phrase "As expected" along with a graph from a September 2023 broadcast opinion poll that was favorable to him.
The first trial court, the Criminal Division 1 of Suncheon Branch of Gwangju District Court (then Presiding Judge Kim Yongkyu), found Kim guilty but determined that the impact on the election was not significant, sentencing him to a fine of 900,000 won.
Immediately after the sentencing, Kim stated, "I humbly accept the court's decision," and added, "I will approach politics with even greater humility."
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