Special Larceny Charges for 1,500 Won Item: Why Prosecution Proceeded Despite Store Owner's Request Not to Punish

Two individuals with severe developmental disabilities consumed a 1,500 won ice cream at a convenience store without paying for it.

Controversy over excessive investigation is rising as it has been reported that the police applied charges of special larceny to them.

On June 10, at a convenience store in Busan, two individuals in their 30s with severe developmental disabilities shared one ice cream without paying for it.

Their parents found out about the incident later, apologized to the convenience store, and paid 100,000 won in compensation.

The store owner also expressed understanding of the situation and stated that they did not want the individuals to be punished.

However, it is reported that the police applied charges of special larceny under the Criminal Act and forwarded the case to the prosecution.

This was based on the reasoning that special larceny is established when two or more people act together to steal another person's property.

The prosecution granted a suspension of indictment, taking into account that they were first-time offenders and that the store owner did not want punishment following a settlement with the victims.

It is reported that the families of the individuals with developmental disabilities plan to file a complaint against the investigator for abuse of power, arguing that it was an unreasonable investigation that failed to consider the severity of the matter and the characteristics of their disabilities.
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.