Fire Door Entrapment Accident Involving Kimhae Elementary Student, Administrative Director's Appeal Dismissed
by Lee Seryeong
Published 17 Apr.2023 14:30(KST)
Updated 07 Aug.2025 15:23(KST)
School Facility Management Officer Sentenced to Imprisonment with Labor; Administrative Office Director Fined
The appellate court upheld the first-instance ruling regarding the elementary school student entrapment accident involving a fire shutter in Gimhae, Gyeongnam.
The Criminal Division 5 of Changwon District Court announced on the 17th that it maintained the original verdict in the appeal, sentencing school facility manager A, who was charged with professional negligence causing injury, to one year in prison with a three-year probation, and fining the school fire safety manager, administrative director B, 10 million won.
According to the court, A was charged with operating the fire shutter without safety measures to check for defects or abnormalities in the fire door button in the duty room of Yeongun Elementary School in Gimhae in September 2019, resulting in injury to an elementary school student.
The door operated by A struck second grader C, who was trapped by the door for about 10 minutes, suffering severe injuries including brain damage.
B was prosecuted for violating the duty to conduct safety education and supervise.
The first-instance court confirmed the sentences, finding that both individuals violated their professional responsibilities and duties of care.
B’s side appealed, arguing that the responsibility for safety accidents within the school lies with the principal and the responsible teachers, and that it is unfair to hold the administrative director accountable for incidents caused by A’s operation.
The appellate court stated, “B is the fire safety manager responsible for the overall fire safety management of the school,” and “his duty of care includes ensuring that A is familiar with related guidelines to prevent safety accidents and properly supervising compliance, so the original court’s judgment is justified,” thus dismissing the appeal.
The Gyeongnam Office of Education Public Officials Labor Union expressed regret over the appellate ruling and announced plans to appeal to the Supreme Court.
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