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  • 최종편집: 2025-07-17 16:34:16
최종편집: 2025-07-17 16:34:16

서거석 전북교육감, 허위사실공표 벌금 500만 원 확정…교육감직 상실

Former North Jeolla Province Superintendent of Education, Seo Geoseok, Fined 5 Million Won for False Publicity... Loss of Superintendent Position

... ( 편집부 ) (2025-06-26 10:55:09)

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대법원은 2025년 6월 26일, 서거석 전북교육감에게 벌금 500만 원을 선고한 원심을 확정했다. 이로써 서 교육감은 공직선거법상 당선무효에 해당돼 교육감직을 상실하게 됐다.

서 교육감은 2022년 제8회 전국동시지방선거에서 전북교육감 후보로 출마해 당선되었다. 그는 선거 당시 토론회에서 과거 동료 교수를 폭행한 사실이 없다고 발언하고, 자신의 페이스북에도 “폭행 사실이 없다”는 취지의 글을 게시해 허위사실공표 혐의로 기소됐다.

1심 재판부는 모든 혐의에 대해 무죄를 선고했으나, 항소심에서는 페이스북 게시글이 유권자의 판단에 중대한 영향을 미칠 수 있다고 보고 일부 유죄를 인정해 벌금 500만 원을 선고했다. 피고인의 토론회 발언은 무죄로 판단됐고, 이에 대한 검사의 항소는 기각됐다.

대법원 제2부는 이날 판결에서 원심의 판단에 법리 오해나 사실 오인 등 위법이 없다며 서 교육감의 상고를 기각했다.

이번 판결로 서거석 교육감은 공직선거법상 ‘벌금 100만 원 이상’ 확정 시 적용되는 당선무효 규정에 따라 교육감직을 잃게 됐다.

The Supreme Court confirmed the lower court's decision to impose a fine of 5 million won on Seo Geo-seok, the former superintendent of education in Jeonbuk, on June 26, 2025. As a result, Seo lost his position as superintendent of education as he was deemed ineligible for election under the Public Official Election Act.

Seo ran as a candidate for the superintendent of education in Jeonbuk in the 8th simultaneous local elections nationwide in 2022 and was elected. During the election campaign, he stated in a debate that there was no truth to the fact that he had assaulted a former colleague professor in the past. He also posted on his Facebook that there was no truth to the assault allegations, leading to charges of false disclosure of facts.

The first-instance court acquitted him of all charges, but in the appellate court, it was acknowledged that the Facebook post could have a significant impact on voters' judgment, leading to a partial guilty verdict and a fine of 5 million won. The defendant's debate statement was deemed not guilty, and the prosecutor's appeal on this matter was dismissed.

The Second Division of the Supreme Court rejected the appeal of Seo, stating that there were no legal misunderstandings or factual errors in the lower court's decision.

With this ruling, Seo Geo-seok lost his position as superintendent of education under the provision of disqualification for election, which applies when a fine of more than 1 million won is confirmed under the Public Official Election Act.



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