Prosecution Appeals Partial Acquittal in Mok-dong Rainwater Pump Station Disaster First Trial

The prosecution has appealed the first trial verdict that acquitted Hyundai Engineering & Construction and others in part regarding the accident six years ago at the Mok-dong Sinwol Rainwater Pump Station construction site in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul, where three workers died due to heavy rain.

Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul.
Photo by Kim Daehyun kdh@

The Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office announced on December 5 that it has appealed the first trial verdict, which sentenced construction officials charged with occupational negligence resulting in death to suspended prison terms and fines, and acquitted the construction company and its subcontractor, who were charged with violating the Occupational Safety and Health Act.

They are accused of neglecting safety management in connection with the accident on July 31, 2019, when three workers assigned to the Mok-dong Sinwol Rainwater Pump Station construction site in Yangcheon-gu died after being swept away by rainwater following the automatic opening of floodgates during a sudden downpour.

Previously, Judge Kim Juwan of the Criminal Division 10 of the Seoul Southern District Court sentenced three individuals, including Choi (56), the Hyundai Engineering & Construction site manager at the time of the accident, and Kang (62), the head of the Water Management Division at Yangcheon District Office, to six months in prison, suspended for one year.

Hyundai Engineering & Construction and subcontractor A Construction, who were indicted for violating the Occupational Safety and Health Act, were acquitted.

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