A Seoul court sentenced Tuesday two Internet users to suspended prison terms for organizing a boycott against companies running ads in three conservative newspapers critical of protests against U.S. beef.

One, identified as Lee, was sentenced to 10 months in prison suspended for two years, while the other identified as Yang, who managed the Web site for the campaign received a six-month term, also suspended for two years.

Nineteen members of the online forum were fined between one and three million won.

``Their campaign affected the business operations of the companies which were flooded with calls from people sympathizing with the campaign,'' the Seoul Central District Court said in its ruling. ``This was obstruction of business.''

Last year, the two created a forum on the Daum portal to run the campaign calling for people to pressure companies to cancel ad placements with three newspapers ― the Chosun Ilbo, Joong-Ang Ilbo and Donga Ilbo.

``Operators of the forum allowed companies that had no intention of stopping their newspaper advertisements to become prime targets, and face intensified pressure from forum members. This constitutes restricting the freedom of the advertisers,'' the court said.