A Seoul district court acquitted Goo of the criminal charge, saying it was difficult to hold him responsible for specific anti-riot tactics used by low-ranking police officers.

But the Seoul High Court issued a different ruling, saying Goo, as the top officer in charge of the anti-riot operations, was supposed to have foreseen the possibility of injuries of riot police or protesters.

"The defendant was obliged to exercise his command over field officers in order to prevent an excessive use of water cannon and take necessary measures," the appellate court said.

The court also upheld a fine of 10 million won for Shin Yun-kyun, then-chief of the 4th riot squad of the Seoul police agency, while sentencing two low-ranking officers who operated the water cannon during the 2015 rally to fines of 7 million and 10 million won, respectively. (Yonhap)