"Body HDC Hyundai Development Soft Verdict... South Korea's Safety Collapses"

Statement Released by the Bereaved Families' Council of the Hakdong Disaster and Others

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Jin-hyung] Civic groups in the Gwangju area evaluated the verdict on the 'Hakdong Collapse Accident' on the 7th as a "typical leniency that only touched the feathers while leaving the main body untouched."

They pointed out that while three HDC Hyundai Development Company officials all received suspended prison sentences, most subcontractor officials were given actual prison terms.

The Hakdong Disaster Bereaved Families Council and the Citizens' Countermeasures Committee for the Expulsion of Hyundai Development and the Hakdong·Hwajeong-dong Disaster issued a statement condemning the court's verdict on the same day.

The groups criticized, "We strongly condemn the first trial court's verdict on the Hakdong disaster, which drove a big nail into the hearts of 17 victims and their families and shattered safety in the Republic of Korea."

They summarized the trial results as "another reproduction of the irrationality of 'justice for the rich, injustice for the poor,'" adding, "Even the fines imposed on Hyundai Development are the lowest. It is clearly a lenient verdict favoring Hyundai Development, the main culprit of the disaster."

They continued, "The presiding judge criticized our society's safety negligence and corporate selfishness before the sentencing," but "delivered a slap-on-the-wrist verdict that looks completely different from the judge's awareness," delivering a sharp rebuke once again.

They described this as "lip service unfit for such an absurd verdict," and said that "the bereaved families can only feel greater despair because of this."

They also demanded the prosecution to immediately appeal.

The groups emphasized, "The main culprit, Hyundai Development, must receive appropriate punishment to establish at least minimal justice," and "this is also about protecting the safety of workers and citizens from illegal construction."

Finally, they raised their voices, saying, "We must resolve the grievances of the disaster victims and their families and sound a strict social warning against illegal construction that disregards safety."

Meanwhile, the 11th Criminal Division of the Gwangju District Court (Presiding Judge Park Hyun-soo) held a sentencing hearing on the same day for seven construction officials, including HDC Hyundai Development, who were indicted on charges such as professional negligence resulting in death, and three companies (Hyundai Development, Hansol Enterprise, Baeksol Enterprise).

The court sentenced three Hyundai Development construction managers to prison terms ranging from one year to two years, with suspended sentences of two to three years.

Subcontractor officials received sentences of up to three years and six months in prison.

Hyundai Development, indicted for violating the Industrial Safety and Health Act, was fined 20 million won, while Hansol Enterprise and Baeksol Enterprise were each fined 30 million won.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.