Death of a Worker in His 20s at Electronics Manufacturer
Court Fines Company 10 Million Won, Suspended Sentence for CEO
In Gwangju, an electronics company, its CEO, and executives who were indicted for the first time on charges of violating the Serious Accidents Punishment Act have all been found guilty.
On the 7th, Judge Ji Hyesun of the Gwangju District Court Criminal Division 5 sentenced the local electronics manufacturer A, indicted for violating the Serious Accidents Punishment Act (industrial accident resulting in death), to a fine of 10 million won, and the CEO B (65) to eight months in prison, suspended for two years.
Two executives, including a director, who were also indicted for violating the Industrial Safety and Health Act, were each sentenced to five and ten months in prison, suspended for two years.
Company A was indicted for neglecting safety management and supervision after a fatal industrial accident occurred at its electronics manufacturing plant in Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju, around 9:10 p.m. on November 7, 2022. In the incident, a worker in his 20s, Mr. A, was killed after being crushed under a steel coil weighing about 1.8 tons during a night shift.
Company A employs more than 50 regular workers, making it subject to the Serious Accidents Punishment Act.
According to the investigation, the victim died after working without anti-tip measures or a supervisor present.
Prosecutors, holding the company responsible for the incident, indicted CEO Mr. A without detention for violating the Serious Accidents Punishment Act, marking the first such case in Gwangju. Additionally, the company's chief operating officer and production director were indicted for violating the Industrial Safety and Health Act.
The director was also charged with operating the plant despite a work suspension order issued during a special inspection by the Labor Office following the accident.
The court stated, "The defendants allowed the victim to work alone, failed to ensure he wore a safety helmet, and neglected to implement anti-tip measures for the coil, leaving him to work dangerously for an extended period. However, considering that the accident was partly due to the victim's hazardous work practices and that the company took post-accident safety measures, the sentences are suspended."
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