Teacher Acquitted on Appeal for Participating in Yoon Suk Yeol Condemnation Rally: "Not a Political Act"

Baek Geumryeol (53), a current teacher who had participated multiple times in rallies condemning the president and was convicted in the first trial, was acquitted on appeal.

'Sorikkun Teacher' Baek Geumryeol.

On the 26th, the Gwangju District Court Criminal Division 4 (Presiding Judge Bae Eun-chang) overturned the first trial verdict, which had sentenced Baek to eight months in prison with a two-year suspended sentence and a one-year suspension of qualifications for violating the State Public Officials Act, and instead found him not guilty on appeal.

The court stated, "Criticism directed at the president does not automatically equate to criticism of a particular political party or support for an opposing party." The court further noted, "In modern society, where societal issues often become politicized, it is necessary to interpret the obligation of political neutrality for public officials strictly."

Baek, who was working as a teacher at a middle school in Gwangju, was indicted for participating in 'Yoon Suk Yeol Administration Condemnation Rallies' held in Seoul, Gwangju, and other locations from April to November 2022. Baek, who has also been active as a sorikkun (traditional singer), frequently served as the host on the rally stage.

The prosecution argued that Baek, despite being a national public official, publicly criticized the People Power Party to which then-President Yoon Suk Yeol belonged, thereby violating Article 65, Paragraph 4 of the State Public Officials Act, which prohibits political activities. The prosecution also considered Baek's wearing of a shirt printed with the face of former President Moon Jae-in to be a political act.

The first trial, presided over by the Gwangju District Court Criminal Division 3 Single Judge, recognized the political nature of the rally based on the attendance of Democratic Party lawmakers and rendered a guilty verdict. However, the appellate court took a different view, stating, "Not only Democratic Party lawmakers, but also celebrities, columnists, and cultural and artistic figures participated in the rally."

Baek's attorney described the ruling as "a meaningful decision that distinguishes between political acts and freedom of expression." Baek also stated, "I hope this will be the last case where someone suffers disadvantages for such reasons."

Meanwhile, Baek's request for a constitutional review of Article 65 of the State Public Officials Act was dismissed on the grounds that it was not relevant to the premise of this judgment.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.