"We Will Continue Responsible Corporate Management"
Youngpoong stated that it will "continue its technological and institutional efforts for environmental protection" after the former CEO and others, who had been brought to trial on charges of discharging heavy metals into the Nakdong River, were acquitted.
On the 27th, Youngpoong announced, "We will continue transparent and responsible corporate management based on the trust of the local community." Regarding the court that delivered the not-guilty verdict, the company added, "We respect and welcome the judiciary's reasonable judgment."
Previously, on July 17, the Criminal Division 1 of the Daegu High Court (Presiding Judge Jung Sungwook) upheld the original verdict of not guilty for Lee Kangin, former CEO of Youngpoong Seokpo Smelter, six other individuals, and the corporation, who had been indicted for violating the Act on the Control and Aggravated Punishment of Environmental Crimes and other charges. The verdict was finalized on the 25th after the prosecution decided not to appeal.
Former CEO Lee and others were indicted on charges of illegally discharging cadmium into the Nakdong River through groundwater via cracks in the factory floor on 1,009 occasions between 2015 and 2021. The appellate court ruled that there was insufficient evidence to prove these charges brought by the prosecution, while the court of first instance found a lack of intent and other factors.
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