A safety manager at a large supermarket has been fined for failing to address a hazard involving a poorly secured billboard on the ceiling of a moving walkway, which resulted in injuries to a 4-year-old child.
The Incheon District Court, presided over by Judge Kim Hyun-sook of the 12th Criminal Division, announced today (July 9) that it has sentenced the 29-year-old safety manager, identified by the initial A, to a fine of 1.5 million won for professional negligence resulting in injury.
A was charged with failing to perform safety management duties at a large supermarket in Seo-gu, Incheon, on August 19, 2024, at 6:05 PM, which led to injuries to a 4-year-old girl, B, who was riding the moving walkway.
At the time, a billboard on the ceiling of the moving walkway detached from its frame and fell onto the girl's back.
The child sustained injuries, including a thoracic sprain, after being struck by the billboard, which weighed 3 kg and measured 73 cm in width and 106 cm in height.
The billboard had been replaced ten days prior to the accident by an official from an advertising production company.
Investigations revealed that the official had forced the billboard into the frame despite parts of it being rusted and unable to open properly, and finished the work without verifying whether it was securely fastened.
A had been informed that the billboard was not properly secured and posed a risk of falling, but neglected to inspect or address the situation.
Judge Kim stated the reasoning for the sentencing, noting, "The defendant admits to the crime," and added, "We considered that the defendant deposited 3 million won for the victim, but the victim's side has reserved their intention to accept it, and the defendant has not been forgiven."
(Photo: Yonhap News)