Court finds author of Ilbe post 'May 18 was a riot' not guilty on appeal

On the 16th, Daegu District Court Criminal Appeal Division 2-3 (Chief Judge Lee Sang-gyun) overturned the original judgment and declared not guilty in the appeal trial of Mr. Kim (40s), who was indicted on charges of describing the May 18 Democratization Movement as a riot in an online community (violation of the Special Act on the May 18 Democratization Movement, etc.).

The original trial sentenced Mr. Kim to a fine of 1 million won.

On May 19, 2021, Mr. Kim accessed the Internet 'Daily Best Storage' (Ilbe) site at his residence in Dong-gu, Daegu and said, 'If a gun was taken out, it would be a riot, but from the military's point of view, it was right to suppress it, and many police and soldiers died at that time. He was sent to trial on charges of posting an article to the effect that the May 18 Democratization Movement was a riot, saying, “I really don’t understand why this is a democratization movement and why people are considered meritorious.”

The court explained the reason for the acquittal, saying, "The defendant's actions deserve to be criticized, but writing 'riot' should be viewed as posting 'opinions' rather than facts."