A man in his 50s who climbed a utility pole and cut copper wire (electric wire) to steal it was sentenced to prison. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Bong-ju] A man in his 50s who climbed a utility pole and cut copper wire (electric wire) to steal it was sentenced to prison.
On the 7th, according to Jeju District Court, Criminal Division 1 (Chief Judge Choi Seok-moon) sentenced Kim (57), who was indicted on theft charges, to 2 years and 6 months in prison.
On the early morning of November 23 last year, Kim climbed a utility pole in Sin-eom-ri, Aewol-eup, Jeju City, and cut about 300 meters of wire with a cutter he had prepared in advance to steal it.
Previously, Kim was prosecuted for stealing Korea Electric Power Corporation-owned wires in the same manner a total of six times until January 22 of this year.
The wire Kim took weighed about 540 kg and was estimated to be worth approximately 3.24 million KRW.
Kim, who was a repeat offender during the recidivism period due to frequent thefts, was found to have stolen wire again to cover living expenses.
It is reported that Kim sustained his livelihood by selling the wires to scrap yards.
The wire he stole was a neutral wire (copper wire), which serves as auxiliary power for high-voltage lines and normally does not carry current.
The court explained the sentencing reason, saying, "Although the defendant was in the recidivism period, he did not repent and committed the crime in this case and was not forgiven by the victim," but "considering that this crime appears to be a livelihood-related crime."
Previously, Kim was sentenced to probation in August 2003 for special theft charges and committed four more crimes. In 2016, he was sentenced to 2 years and 6 months in prison for theft and trespassing charges, served his sentence, and was released in 2018.
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