[Asia Economy Reporter Bae Kyunghwan] Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol emphasized the need to protect socially vulnerable groups who have suffered damages from construction site fires and mass food poisoning incidents. He particularly stated that since various illicit practices and unfair acts have accumulated, resulting in the emergence of socially vulnerable groups, the highest level of response must be taken.
On the 24th, Prosecutor General Yoon held a luncheon meeting at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office with prosecutors investigating so-called 'gapjil cases' targeting socially vulnerable groups. He joined prosecutors who investigated major accident crimes related to public safety, such as the fire incidents at the Icheon logistics warehouse and the Yongin logistics center, as well as the mass food poisoning incident at a kindergarten. The luncheon meetings between Prosecutor General Yoon and prosecutors involved in protecting socially vulnerable groups are scheduled to be held three times in total, with this meeting being the second following the one on the 17th.
At the meeting, Prosecutor General Yoon said, "Most major accident incidents are human-made disasters caused by the accumulation of various illicit practices and unfair acts committed in pursuit of economic gain, resulting in harm to many innocent socially vulnerable people," and urged, "The prosecution should recognize that the right to life and safety of citizens threatened by major accidents is an absolute constitutional fundamental right and respond at the highest level."
The major accident incidents mentioned by Prosecutor General Yoon include the fire at the newly constructed Icheon logistics warehouse in July and the fire at the Yongin logistics center in October. Eight and three people were respectively indicted in custody for these incidents. Investigations revealed issues such as unreasonable subcontracting relationships, unreasonable demands for shortening construction periods, safety negligence, and poor safety management. The mass food poisoning incident at a kindergarten in Ansan in November also resulted in three people being indicted in custody. Due to their inadequate inspection of food ingredients and poor hygiene management, children were harmed.
Meanwhile, Prosecutor General Yoon plans to hold one more meeting related to 'socially vulnerable groups' in the future. Separately, policy meetings with frontline prosecutors will continue to be held.
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