A Truck Driver Fined 50,000 Won for Eating 1,000 Won Worth of Snacks from Office Fridge
Acquitted on Appeal After Original Verdict Overturned
The defendant in the "Choco Pie theft case," involving damages of 1,050 won, was acquitted of the charges in the appellate court.
The Criminal Division 2 of the Jeonju District Court, presided over by Chief Judge Kim Dohyeong, overturned the original verdict of a 50,000 won fine and acquitted Mr. A (41), who had been indicted on theft charges, at the appellate sentencing hearing held on the 27th.
Previously, Mr. A, an employee of a security company working for a logistics firm in Wanju County, North Jeolla Province,stood trial on charges of taking and eating a Choco Pie worth 400 won and a custard snack worth 600 won from a refrigerator in the company office at 4:06 a.m. on January 18 last year. He claimed, "Delivery drivers would often say, 'There are snacks in the fridge, so feel free to eat them,'" but the court of first instance found intent to steal and imposed a fine of 50,000 won on the defendant.
The appellate court stated, "There was testimony that security staff would often open the entrance door for delivery drivers in advance, and, in return, delivery drivers sometimes offered snacks prepared for themselves to the security staff as a token of appreciation. Even if the defendant did not obtain the victim's explicit consent to take the Choco Pie and other snacks in this case, it is difficult to conclude that the defendant had the intent to take them against the victim's wishes."
With this ruling, Mr. A is expected to be cleared of the stigma that has followed him for nearly two years and to continue working in security services.
At the first appellate hearing, Mr. A's attorney remarked, "If he had really intended to steal snacks, he would have taken the whole box. Honestly, is this even worth arguing about?" while scratching his head.
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