Unauthorized Use of Electricity Constitutes Theft
May Lead to Safety Issues Such as Fire
Another incident exploiting the vulnerabilities of unmanned stores has sparked controversy once again. This time, there is evidence that someone took advantage of the absence of the store owner to steal electricity. The incident, which was directly witnessed by an unmanned store operator, has caused widespread outrage online, raising concerns about the safety of unmanned stores.
Looking at the photo posted along with the text, there are unidentified objects connected by cords placed next to the store refrigerator. The object standing on the left is presumed to be a battery, and the object on the right is presumed to be an inverter. Online community
On September 7, a post titled "Electricity Thief at Unmanned Store" was uploaded to an online community along with a photo. Looking at the photo posted along with the text, there are unidentified objects connected by cords placed next to the store refrigerator. The object standing on the left is presumed to be a battery, and the object on the right is presumed to be an inverter. These are typically devices used for electric scooters or camper vans.
The author, identified as Mr. A, who stated that he operates an unmanned store, said, "A few days ago, I came to the store early in the morning for some work, and I found someone charging what appeared to be a battery in our store." He added, "It seems like they did it knowing it was an unmanned store, but I would like to hear opinions on how to handle this." Upon hearing about the incident, online users commented, "Take the equipment and make them turn themselves in," "Report it as electricity theft," and "Stealing electricity is a problem, but who will be responsible if a fire breaks out due to battery overheating?" One user remarked, "This incident clearly reveals the blind spots in management hidden behind the convenience of unmanned stores," and advised, "Unmanned store operators should thoroughly implement preventive measures such as strengthening surveillance monitoring and keeping records of electricity usage, and should take immediate legal action in the event of incidents like this or similar cases."
Criminal Penalties and Civil Damages Both Possible
This is not the first time a story has surfaced about an 'electricity thief' secretly charging a high-capacity device at an unmanned store. Last year, there was public outrage when it was reported that a worker from a nearby construction site charged construction equipment at an unmanned ice cream shop, causing the circuit breaker to trip and all the ice cream to melt and be discarded. Using electricity from someone else's store without permission constitutes theft under Article 329 of the Criminal Act. Because electricity is considered property, violators can face up to six years in prison or a fine of up to 10 million won under the relevant law.
Unmanned stores have become targets of crime due to the absence of on-site personnel. Photo is not related to the specific content of the article. Photo by Asia Economy Database
In addition to criminal penalties, civil liability can also be pursued. The person who used the electricity without permission can be sued for damages based on tort under civil law. The scope of damages includes not only the actual electricity charges used, but also repair costs for equipment damage or any additional losses such as fire. Evidence such as closed-circuit (CC) TV footage and electricity usage records can be used to claim damages from the perpetrator. If a settlement cannot be reached, a civil lawsuit can be filed, or a claim for compensation can be submitted along with a criminal complaint.
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