Prison Sentences Sought for CEO Over Worker Deaths in Forklift Accident Without Safety Equipment

Prosecution Seeks Two-Year Prison Term for CEO,
One Year and Six Months for Director

The prosecution has sought prison sentences for the management of a manufacturing company in Damyang, South Jeolla Province, after they neglected mandatory safety measures, resulting in the deaths of two foreign workers.

On April 29, at a sentencing hearing presided over by Chief Judge Jeong Gyohyeong of the Gwangju District Court Criminal Division 1, the Gwangju District Prosecutors' Office requested that the court sentence CEO A to two years in prison and Director B to one year and six months in prison on charges of violating the Serious Accidents Punishment Act and other related laws. In addition, the prosecution requested a fine of 200 million won for the company itself under the joint penal provision.

Gwangju District Prosecutors' Office building.

A and others were indicted on charges of deploying three Filipino workers without safety equipment at a window manufacturing plant in Damyang County on October 1, 2024, resulting in the deaths of two workers and injuries to one.

At the time, the workers had been standing on an aerial work platform attached to a forklift for unloading cargo, performing shade installation work at a height of approximately 7.9 meters. The platform lost balance and tipped over, causing them to fall to the ground. Investigations revealed that the company had used the forklift for purposes other than its intended use and had failed to implement fall-prevention measures or even prepare a specific work plan.

The prosecution stated, "This is a classic example of a man-made disaster, caused by failure to comply with even basic safety regulations, and severe punishment is necessary in accordance with the legislative intent of the Serious Accidents Punishment Act."

The defendants admitted to all charges in court and appealed for leniency, saying, "We are making every effort to prevent a recurrence of such incidents."

The sentencing hearing for this serious industrial accident in South Jeolla Province is scheduled to take place at 10 a.m. on May 13 at the Gwangju District Court.

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