Death of Osong Disaster Supervision Chief During Imprisonment... Inmate Management 'Loophole'

[Financial News] The supervision chief of the Miho River Bridge expansion project, who was serving a sentence related to the Osong underpass flooding disaster (charges of professional negligence resulting in death, etc.), has died. Inmate management issues are expected to come under scrutiny. 
According to correctional authorities on the 31st, the supervision chief, Mr. A (67), was found in a state of reduced consciousness by a fellow inmate in the same cell at Cheongju Prison on the 22nd. Mr. A, who appeared to have attempted suicide, was transferred to Chungbuk National University Hospital for treatment and was pronounced dead on this day.
A Ministry of Justice official stated, "A suicide note was found, and the Daejeon Regional Correctional Office is currently investigating the cause of death, including management issues."
Mr. A was charged with negligence in management and supervision, leading to casualties, during the process where the construction company for the Miho River Bridge expansion project, commissioned by the Multifunctional Administrative City Construction Agency, illegally demolished the existing embankment and inadequately constructed and neglected a temporary embankment for construction convenience.
He was sentenced to six years in prison in the first trial and four years in the second trial, with the second trial's verdict confirmed by the Supreme Court. The construction site manager was also sentenced to six years in prison and is serving time.
During the first trial in April last year, Mr. A stated in his final testimony, "I pray for the repose of the deceased and apologize to the bereaved families. The casualties occurred due to my negligence in thoroughly managing the site. I will repent and apologize."
The Osong disaster occurred on July 15, 2023, when the Miho River embankment near Gungpyeong 2 Underpass in Osong-eup, Cheongju-si, burst due to heavy rain, flooding the underpass and submerging 17 vehicles, including city buses, resulting in 14 deaths.
The prosecution has brought 43 people, including officials from Chungbuk Province, Cheongju City, and Geumgang River Basin Environmental Office, as well as police officers, to trial in connection with the disaster, with sentences confirmed for four individuals so far.

jjw@fnnews.com Jeong Ji-woo Reporter