Company Head Who Withheld Wages Worth Tens of Billions of Won Sentenced to Two Years and Six Months in Prison

【Financial News, Jeonju = Reporter Kang In】 The head of a manufacturing company who withheld wages totaling tens of billions of won was handed a prison sentence on appeal as well.
On the 22nd, Jeonju District Court sentenced Mr. Yoo, 60, to two years and six months in prison, the same sentence handed down by the lower court, in an appeal trial on charges including violations of the Labor Standards Act.
Mr. Yoo operated a manufacturing company in Wanju-gun, North Jeolla Province. In 2024, the company repeatedly suspended and resumed operations because of unpaid electricity and gas bills before closing in December of that year.
During this process, unpaid wages totaling tens of billions of won accrued for approximately 200 employees.
Mr. Yoo pleaded for leniency in court, saying he would sell the factory and pay the overdue wages, but the court rejected his request.
The panel emphasized, "The wages and severance pay the defendant failed to pay are substantial, and there are also a very large number of affected workers," adding, "Wages are the source of workers' livelihoods and are akin to the right to life, going beyond mere property rights."
The panel ruled, "A considerable amount of time has passed since the defendant committed the offenses, yet he has not compensated the victims, and it is difficult to conclude that he made serious efforts to do so. We determined the sentence after taking into account that the offenses occurred amid deteriorating company management, among other factors."


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