Business Owner Arrested for Withholding 1.4 Million Won in Wages
Evaded Summonses and Contacts from Labor Inspectors Before Being Apprehended
The Boryeong Branch of the Ministry of Employment and Labor announced on July 4 that it had arrested Song (55), a business owner who operates a restaurant in Seocheon-gun, Chungnam Province, for failing to pay wages to an employee and repeatedly ignoring summonses from labor inspectors.
According to the Boryeong Branch, Song operated a Korean restaurant in Seocheon-gun and withheld 1.4 million won in wages owed to an employee responsible for hall serving duties.
It was also revealed that Song evaded six summonses and eight contact attempts from the Boryeong Branch.
The Boryeong Branch obtained an arrest warrant and a communication warrant from the court to track Song's whereabouts. At around 10:30 a.m. on July 3, Song was arrested at another restaurant he operates within Seocheon-gun.
After his arrest, Song admitted to all wage arrears during questioning and was released after promising to settle the unpaid wages.
Lee Jeomseok, head of the Boryeong Branch, stated, "Even a small amount of unpaid wages is a serious issue that threatens workers' livelihoods, and wage arrears are a clear crime. For business owners who refuse to comply with the law without justifiable reason, we will pursue and conduct compulsory investigations to the end in accordance with the law and principles."
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