(Photo= Yonhap news)

 

[Alpha Biz= Reporter Kim Jisun] The CEO of the special steel manufacturer SeAH Besteel, Kim Cheol-hee, who was accused of violating the Act on the Punishment of Violences Causing Serious Injuries resulting in the deaths of 5 workers, has avoided arrest.

On the 14th, Judge Kim Min-seok of the Gunsan Branch of the Jeonju District Court rejected the arrest warrant for Kim, who was accused of violating the Act on the Punishment of Violences Causing Serious Injuries. The arrest warrant for Mr. A, the manager of the SeAH Besteel Gunsan plant, who was accused of violating the Industrial Safety and Health Act, was also rejected.

Judge Kim stated, "Although the seriousness of the case is acknowledged, considerable evidence has been secured through a long-term, extensive investigation," and explained, "While Mr. Kim generally admits to the objective facts, there is room for dispute regarding the establishment of some criminal facts." He added, "Considering that Mr. Kim has a fixed residence, clear social ties, and has sincerely cooperated with the investigation so far, it is difficult to see concerns about evidence destruction or fleeing."

Kim and Mr. A are accused of providing the cause of the fatal accident by neglecting safety measures.

According to the prosecution and the Ministry of Employment and Labor, there have been four serious accidents resulting in five deaths at the SeAH Besteel Gunsan plant since the enforcement of the Act on the Punishment of Violences Causing Serious Injuries in January 2022.

Following the occurrence of serious accidents at SeAH Besteel, labor unions such as the Jeonbuk branch of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) have repeatedly issued statements and urged the court to issue arrest warrants for CEO Kim.

 

 

[ⓒ AlphaBIZ. 무단전재-재배포 금지]