The representative of Hamilton Hotel, who was prosecuted on charges of increasing casualties in the Itaewon disaster by erecting illegal structures, was sentenced to the same fine as in the first trial in the appeal trial.
The Seoul Western District Court Criminal Appeal Division 1 (Chief Judge Ban Jeong-woo) sentenced Lee, the representative of Hamilton Hotel, who was indicted for violating the Building Act and other charges, to a fine of 8 million won on the afternoon of the 10th.
The court stated, "The prosecution appealed that the sentences for Lee and Hamilton Hotel Co., Ltd. were too light, but the original sentencing is appropriate," and added, "After reviewing the records, we agree with the first trial's judgment."
Lee and others erected illegal structures around the main building of Hamilton Hotel and occupied the road without permission, violating the Building Act and other laws. It was pointed out that this narrowed the alley during the Itaewon disaster, increasing the number of casualties.
Earlier, in November 2023, the court ruled in the first trial that there was guilt for unauthorized extension of buildings such as the terrace at the back of the hotel main building, which altered the road.
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