Truck Driver Fined 50,000 Won for Eating 1,000 Won Worth of Snacks from Company Refrigerator

Ate Snacks from Refrigerator in Logistics Company Office
Court: "No Authority to Dispose of Items in Refrigerator"

A truck driver was found guilty after being accused of taking and eating 1,000 won worth of snacks from the refrigerator in a logistics company's office.

According to a report by Yonhap News on May 4, the Jeonju District Court, Criminal Division 6 (Judge Kim Hyunji), sentenced Mr. A (41), who was indicted without detention on theft charges, to a fine of 50,000 won. Mr. A, a truck driver, was charged with taking and eating snacks worth 1,000 won, including a Choco Pie priced at 400 won and another snack priced at 600 won, from the refrigerator in a logistics company's office in Wanju County, North Jeolla Province, at around 4:06 a.m. on January 18 last year.

Choco Pie. Photo is not related to the specific content of the article.

Initially, prosecutors considered the case minor and proceeded with a summary indictment, but Mr. A claimed innocence and requested a formal trial. During the trial, Mr. A argued, "My fellow truck drivers usually said, 'There are snacks in the refrigerator, so you can eat them,'" and added, "I took out and ate the Choco Pie and the snack after hearing that, so I don't understand why this is considered theft." On the other hand, an employee of the logistics company responsible for managing the refrigerator testified, "Our staff have provided snacks from the refrigerator to the drivers before, but the drivers have never taken snacks without permission."

The court determined that Mr. A acted with intent to steal, based on the structure of the logistics company building and surrounding testimonies. The court explained, "The second floor of the building, where the incident occurred, has separate areas for office work and for drivers to wait," and added, "The refrigerator from which the defendant took the items is located at the end of the office area, which is a place where drivers are not allowed to enter." The court further stated, "The security guard at this logistics company testified that he did not know there was a refrigerator in the office area and had never eaten any snacks from it," and concluded, "Considering these points, it is clear that the defendant must have been fully aware that he did not have the authority to dispose of the items in the refrigerator," explaining the reason for the guilty verdict.

Regarding the sentencing, the court said, "It is favorable for the defendant that he acknowledged the facts of the crime and that the amount of damage is small." However, the court also noted, "The fact that the defendant was not forgiven by the victim, as well as the motive and means of the crime and the circumstances after the crime, indicate that the fine set by the summary order is not excessive." Mr. A has appealed the verdict to a higher court.