Kim Moon-soo, a presidential candidate of the People Power Party (formerly Minister of Employment and Labor), was fined 2.5 million won by the Supreme Court on the 24th for attending an on-site worship service in violation of the government's ban on gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, there is no obstruction to Kim's candidacy in the presidential election. In non-election offenses, the right to run for office is only revoked if a sentence of imprisonment or greater is confirmed.

On Oct. 24, Kim Moon-soo, a candidate for the People Power Party presidential primary, is speaking at the launch ceremony of the National Innovation Committee held at the camp office in the Daehwa Building in Yeouido, Seoul. /Courtesy of Yonhap News

On this day, the Supreme Court's first division (headed by Justice Seo Kyung-hwan) upheld the second trial ruling in the appeal regarding Kim's violation of the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act. Previously, the second trial recognized Kim's charges as guilty and sentenced him to a fine of 2.5 million won.

The Supreme Court also confirmed fines ranging from 1 million to 3 million won for Pastor Park of Sarang Jeil Church and the congregation, who were indicted alongside Kim.

Kim and others were brought to trial for violating the law on the prevention and management of infectious diseases by attending an on-site worship service despite the Seoul city's ban on gatherings during March to April 2020 when the COVID-19 crisis alert was raised to the 'serious' level.

The first trial acquitted all persons associated with Sarang Jeil Church, including Kim. The first trial court stated, 'The administrative order to ban gatherings issued by the mayor of Seoul was illegal as it deviated from and abused discretionary authority,' and noted, 'Even if the defendants violated each administrative order in this case, the charge of violating the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act cannot be established.'

However, the second trial overturned the first trial ruling and sentenced the former Minister to a fine of 2.5 million won. The second trial court stated, 'Considering the high transmissibility and danger of COVID-19 at the time, the direction of quarantine and prevention measures, and the degree of violation of the ban on gatherings, the nature of the crime is not good.'

This time, the Supreme Court also found no issues with the second trial ruling and confirmed the sentence as is.