Kim, who captained the first rescue vessel on the scene, was charged with wasting valuable time and delaying the evacuation of the capsizing vessel, contributing to the deaths of more than 300 passengers, many of whom were schoolchildren.
The courts also levelled a further charge alleging Kim falsely reported that he had broadcast an evacuation order through loudspeakers.
The vessel was said to have been modified to carry 3,608 tons of cargo, more than three times the safe limit, with a higher centre of gravity causing the vessel to list and sink.
Kim Kyung-il is the latest in a series of convictions following the disaster, which includes the 10-year jail sentencing of president of the Sewol's owning company Kim Han-Sik, the 30-year jailing of Sewol captain Lee Joon-Seok, and sentences of up to 20 years for 13 other crew members.
Meanwhile in Italy, captain Francesco Schettino of Italian cruise vessel Costa Concordia, which ran aground in 2012 killing 32, was yesterday convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 16 years in prison.
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