Supreme Court, Suspended Sentence for Main Contractor in 'Gwangju Hakdong Disaster', Prison Sentence Confirmed for Subcontractors

[Financial News] The Supreme Court has delivered its verdict on those responsible for the 'Gwangju Hakdong Demolition Building Collapse Disaster' that resulted in 17 casualties. A suspended sentence was given to officials of the main contractor HDC Hyundai Development Company (HDC Hyunsan), while prison sentences were confirmed for subcontractor and sub-subcontractor officials.
The Supreme Court's 1st Division (Presiding Judge Ma Yongju) confirmed the original judgment sentencing the person responsible for the 'Gwangju Hakdong Demolition Building Collapse Disaster', charged with occupational negligence resulting in death and injury, to a maximum of 2 years and 6 months in prison. 
As a result, Seo Mo, the site manager of HDC Hyunsan, a main contractor official, was sentenced to 2 years in prison with a 3-year suspended sentence and a fine of 5 million won, Kim Mo, the safety manager of HDC Hyunsan, was sentenced to 1 year in prison with a 2-year suspended sentence, and No Mo, the public affairs manager of HDC Hyunsan, was sentenced to 1 year in prison with a 2-year suspended sentence.
On the other hand, Jo Mo, the representative of the subcontractor Baeksol Company, was sentenced to 2 years and 6 months in prison, Kang Mo, the site manager of Hansol Company, was sentenced to 2 years in prison, Cha Mo, the supervisor, was sentenced to 1 year and 6 months in prison with a 2-year suspended sentence, and Kim Mo, the site representative of Dawon ENC, was sentenced to 2 years in prison with a 3-year suspended sentence. Additionally, the corporation HDC Hyunsan, charged with violating the Industrial Safety and Health Act and fined 20 million won in the second trial, maintained its fine.
The Supreme Court stated, "When a subcontractor's worker is working at the contractor's site, Articles 38 and 39 of the Industrial Safety and Health Act, which stipulate safety and health measures that the employer must take, generally apply to the contractor's safety and health measures under Article 63," adding, "However, direct measures concerning the worker's work behavior, such as instructions for wearing protective gear, which do not fall under the contractor's responsibility according to the proviso of Article 63, are excluded." The Supreme Court further explained, "The safety and health measures obligation imposed on the contractor forms the basis for the duty of care in the crime of occupational negligence resulting in death and injury." 
The 'Gwangju Hakdong Demolition Building Collapse Disaster' occurred on June 9, 2021, at the redevelopment site of Hakdong 4 District, Dong-gu, Gwangju. Due to poor safety management and supervision, a building under demolition collapsed, and the debris covered a city bus stopped at a bus stop, killing 9 people and injuring 8 others.   


kyu0705@fnnews.com Dongkyu Kim Reporter