Security guard A, who was indicted on charges of taking and eating 1,050 won worth of snacks, including a Choco Pie, from the refrigerator in a partner company's office, expressed thanks after being acquitted on appeal, saying, "Thanks to everyone's concern and care, I was acquitted."
The Jeonju District Court Criminal Division 2 (Presiding Judge Kim Do-hyeong, Director General) on the 27th overturned the lower court's sentence of a 50,000-won fine and acquitted A (41) in an appellate sentencing hearing on charges of theft without detention.
After the hearing, A, who conveyed a statement through the labor union, said, "Thanks to the court's compassion and everyone's concern and care, I was acquitted," adding, "I am relieved and grateful that I can restore the honor of my fellow employees, including myself."
A said, "I have gone through very humiliating and difficult days," and "It was hard to accept a situation in which a decadeslong practice based on mutual goodwill suddenly became a crime."
A said, "Although I am in the position of an in-house subcontracted nonregular worker, I have taken pride in my duties and labor for nearly 20 years and believe I contributed to the company's development," adding, "I still wonder why it had to go this far." A continued, "I earnestly hope that no worker will ever again suffer from something like this," and "I once again thank all the residents for their concern and support, and ask for your understanding that I can only convey this in writing rather than speaking in person."
Earlier, A, an employee of a security firm for a logistics company in Wanju County, North Jeolla Province, was accused of taking and eating a 450-won Choco Pie and a 600-won custard from the refrigerator in the company office on Jan. 18 last year. It was reported that logistics company manager B reported A after viewing security camera footage.
Prosecutors, considering the damage amount of 1,050 won was small, filed a summary indictment seeking a 500,000-won fine without bringing A to a formal trial. However, A claimed innocence and requested a formal trial. The first trial found A guilty and imposed a fine of 50,000 won. The second trial, however, overturned the first ruling and acquitted A.