[Alpha Biz= Kim Jisun] A former CEO of Young Poong has been found guilty on appeal in connection with a fatal arsenic gas poisoning accident at its Seokpo smelter. The corporate entity was also upheld as guilty, with fines maintained from the lower court.

On the 28th, the Daegu High Court dismissed appeals filed by former CEO Park Young-min, former smelter head Bae Sang-yoon, and the company, who had been indicted on charges including violations of the Serious Accidents Punishment Act and the Occupational Safety and Health Act.

The case stems from a December 2023 incident at the Seokpo smelter in Bonghwa County, where workers were exposed to arsenic gas during tank repair work. The accident left one worker dead from organ failure and three others seriously injured.

The court ruled that the company’s management failed to fulfill its duty to implement adequate safety measures. Notably, the appellate court revised part of the lower court’s findings, determining that certain tasks previously deemed not to involve hazardous substances did in fact qualify, thereby reinforcing the guilty verdict overall.

The original ruling sentenced the former CEO and the smelter head to 18 months in prison, suspended for three years. The company was fined KRW 200 million, while a subcontractor received a KRW 50 million fine.

The case has drawn attention as one of the first in which a top executive at a parent company was detained and prosecuted under the Serious Accidents Punishment Act, underscoring the legal accountability of corporate leadership for workplace safety.

Additional safety incidents have occurred at the Seokpo facility since the accident. In March 2024, a worker was killed by falling debris during cooling tower maintenance, and in June another fatal accident occurred when a crane overturned during soil remediation work. Authorities are continuing investigations into both incidents.

Young Poong said it has since implemented measures including installation of ventilation systems, arsenic gas detectors, improved cleaning procedures, and slope stabilization work to enhance safety.

 

 

 

[ⓒ 알파경제. 무단전재-재배포 금지]