Seoul:The Supreme Court has finalized a four-year prison sentence for the CEO of Aricell, a lithium battery manufacturing company, following a deadly fire at the company's factory that resulted in the deaths of 23 workers and injuries to nine others in 2024.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Aricell CEO Park Soon-kwan was originally sentenced to 15 years in prison by a district court for failing to ensure adequate safety measures at the factory in Hwaseong, located 45 kilometers south of Seoul. The charges were brought under the Serious Accidents Punishment Act, which mandates severe penalties for business owners or CEOs responsible for fatal industrial accidents.
The appeals court later reduced Park's sentence to four years, acquitting him and his son, who serves as a managing director, of charges related to the absence of an emergency exit on the factory's second floor. The court noted that existing safety regulations do not specifically require exits on every floor. The appellate court's decision also considered the company's settlements with the victims' families.
On Tuesday, the Supreme Court upheld the appeals court's decision, finalizing the reduced sentence. Additionally, the Supreme Court confirmed a seven-year prison term for Park's son, who had also been initially sentenced to 15 years by the district court.