Prosecutors in South Korea have decided to appeal the recent acquittal of Jeong Do-won, the chairman of Sampyo Group, following a ruling in which the Uijeongbu District Court found him not guilty of violating the Serious Accident Punishment Act in connection with a worker’s death at a quarry in Yangju. This case is significant as it marks the first occurrence of a group CEO being prosecuted under this new legislation aimed at holding companies accountable for workplace fatalities. The prosecution filed the appeal on the grounds that Jeong, who is considered to have exercised practical control over the company, should bear criminal responsibility for the accident.

The incident in question happened on January 29, 2022, when three workers were buried under debris at the Sampyo quarry while performing their duties. Following the accident, the prosecutors charged Jeong with failing to uphold safety regulations stipulated by the Serious Accident Punishment Act. During the trial, the prosecution sought a four-year prison sentence for Jeong, indicating the seriousness of the charges and the implications for corporate governance and accountability in South Korea.

However, the presiding judge, Lee Young-eun, ruled on October 10 that there was insufficient evidence to conclude that Jeong had adequate oversight or fulfilled safety obligations as mandated by the Act. The court also acquitted the former CEO of Sampyo Industries, Lee Jong-sin, citing a lack of evidence supporting allegations that he had failed to implement necessary safety measures. The case highlights ongoing tensions surrounding corporate liability and worker safety in South Korea, especially in light of increasing scrutiny under the new law aimed at preventing workplace accidents and ensuring corporate accountability.