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Chung Do-won (center), Chairman of Sampyo Group, arrives at the Uijeongbu District Court in Gyeonggi Province on the afternoon of February 10 to attend the sentencing hearing regarding charges of violating the Serious Accidents Punishment Act. (Photo: Yonhap News) |
[Alpha Biz= Paul Lee] UIJUNGBU, SOUTH KOREA – The Uijeongbu District Court on Monday acquitted Chung Do-won, Chairman of Sampyo Group, of charges related to the 2022 quarry collapse in Yangju that claimed the lives of three workers. This case had drawn national attention as the first prosecution of a group chairman under the Serious Accidents Punishment Act (SAPA).
The Verdict The court ruled that Chairman Chung could not be definitively classified as the "management executive" responsible for safety obligations as defined by SAPA. "Given the scale and organizational structure of Sampyo Industry, it is difficult to conclude that the defendant was in a position to practically fulfill the obligations stipulated by the Act," the presiding judge stated. Lee Jong-shin, the former CEO of Sampyo Industry, was also found not guilty.
Labor Unions’ Outrage Major labor organizations, including the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) and the Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU), immediately condemned the ruling, accusing the court of "neutralizing" the fundamental purpose of the law.
The KCTU issued a statement calling the verdict a "collective exemption" for corporate heads. They argued that because Chung’s family controls over 77% of the holding company, he holds ultimate decision-making power. "The court has downgraded the responsibility of a top executive to that of a field manager," the KCTU remarked.
The FKTU urged the prosecution to appeal immediately, stating that the ruling maintains the old practice of shifting blame to practical managers while letting top decision-makers off the hook.
Background of the Case The accident occurred on January 29, 2022—just two days after SAPA went into effect—when a quarry in Yangju collapsed, burying three workers. Prosecutors had sought a four-year prison sentence for Chairman Chung, arguing that as the ultimate authority, he failed to ensure a proper safety management system.
Significance and Future Outlook The acquittal is expected to set a significant legal precedent for future SAPA trials involving large conglomerates with complex governance structures. Labor advocates warn that this "narrow interpretation" of leadership responsibility will allow corporate heads to intentionally disperse or evade accountability through organizational restructuring.
Alphabiz Reporter Paul Lee(hoondork1977@alphabiz.co.kr)
