Ahead of the Supreme Court’s final ruling on Jeonbuk Education Superintendent Seo Geo-seok’s charges of violating the Public Official Election Act, five petitions were submitted to the court during April alone. According to Supreme Court records, these petitions were received on April 3, 10, 18, 22, and 23.

Notably, the petition submitted by Seo's legal representatives on April 23 explicitly appears to request leniency for the superintendent. However, there has been no official confirmation regarding whether each petition specifically sought leniency or urged punishment. Some have expressed dissatisfaction, claiming that due to Superintendent Seo’s hierarchical authority and organizational influence, individuals solicited for signatures felt compelled to consent.

Regardless of the intent behind these petitions, Superintendent Seo, who himself is a former law professor, would be well aware that such documents typically do not significantly influence the Supreme Court's judgment. The Supreme Court serves as a court of final appeal, reviewing legal errors in lower court decisions rather than re-examining factual circumstances. Therefore, emotional pleas, public opinion, or the frequency of petition submissions from citizens or stakeholders do not form the basis for its rulings.

In fact, in similar past cases, numerous petitions have been submitted, but there have been almost no instances where the Supreme Court altered its decisions because of them. Judicial rulings are strictly determined by evidence and legal interpretation. Thus, submitting petitions, regardless of whether they advocate leniency or punishment, typically holds little beyond symbolic significance and seldom affects the actual judicial outcome.

Superintendent Seo Geo-seok previously received a sentence of a 5 million won fine in the appellate trial, an amount resulting in the invalidation of his election if upheld. At that time, the Jeonju branch of the Gwangju High Court found him guilty of disseminating false information during the 2022 local elections. Should the Supreme Court uphold this ruling, Superintendent Seo will lose his position.