Supreme Court upholds 4-year term for Aricell CEO over fire that killed 23
In short
The Supreme Court on 20 October finalised a four-year prison sentence for Aricell (아리셀) CEO Park Sun-kwan (박순관) over the June 2024 factory fire in Hwaseong that killed 23 workers. The sentence had been cut from 15 years at the first trial. Hankook Ilbo reported the court dismissed all appeals by prosecutors and defendants.
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The Supreme Court on 20 October finalised a four-year prison sentence for Aricell CEO Park Sun-kwan over the fire at the company's factory in 2024 that killed 23 workers. Several outlets reported the ruling from about 10:04, saying the sentence handed down by the lower appeal court stood. The Supreme Court's First Division, with Justice Cheon Dae-yeop (천대엽) as the justice in charge, heard the case. [ 4 , 5 , 9 , 10 ]
Hankook Ilbo reported that the court dismissed the appeals of both prosecutors and defendants. As a result, the seven-year term and 1 million won fine for Park's son Park Jung-eon, the general head of headquarters, became final, as did an 800 million won fine on the Aricell corporation. Hankook Ilbo also reported that the court upheld the appeal court's view that there was no duty to install a separate emergency exit on the second floor where the fire broke out, while finding that Park had not properly fulfilled his safety and health duties and that heavy casualties resulted. [ 10 ]
The fire broke out on 24 June 2024 at the Aricell factory in Seosin-myeon, Hwaseong, killing 23 workers and injuring 9. Park was indicted in detention for breaching safety and health duties, including not checking hazards and not having a manual for serious accidents. [ 1 , 3 , 9 ]
The first trial found Park to be the management head liable under the Serious Accidents Punishment Act and sentenced him to 15 years. His son received the same term. Yonhap, Newsis and Kyunghyang Shinmun described it as the highest sentence since the law took effect in 2022. The Suwon High Court appeal court, which ruled on 22 April according to Kyunghyang Shinmun, also treated Park as the management head but cut his sentence to four years. It held that he had no duty to install an emergency exit and had not breached a duty to maintain one, and acquitted him on that part. Newsis reported he was found guilty only on charges including failing to take measures required by the law and illegally receiving 320 dispatched workers from two companies. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 9 ]
The appeal court counted as a mitigating factor that Park had compensated and reached settlements with the families of all 23 dead workers, Newsis and Kyunghyang Shinmun reported. Prosecutors appealed on 28 April, saying the ruling misapplied the law. In June the families submitted an opinion asking the Supreme Court to overturn the ruling, arguing that settlements made under pressure from the company should not reduce a sentence, Kyunghyang Shinmun reported. Newsis said labor groups and families had said the appeal ruling directly undermined the purpose of the law, and that they planned a press conference at 11:00 outside the Supreme Court. [ 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
The ruling ends the criminal case against the Aricell CEO and fixes a sentence far below the 15 years given at first instance, which Yonhap, Newsis and Kyunghyang Shinmun described as the highest since the Serious Accidents Punishment Act took effect in 2022. Labor groups and bereaved families had earlier criticised the lower court's reduction, according to Newsis.
Key facts
- The Supreme Court's First Division upheld the lower court's four-year prison sentence for Aricell CEO Park Sun-kwan on 20 October. [ 4 , 5 , 9 , 10 , 12 ]
- The fire broke out on 24 June 2024 at the Aricell factory in Seosin-myeon, Hwaseong, killing 23 workers and injuring 9. [ 1 , 3 , 9 ]
- Hankook Ilbo reported that the court dismissed all appeals by prosecutors and defendants, confirming seven years and a 1 million won fine for Park's son Park Jung-eon (박중언). [ 10 ]
- Hankook Ilbo reported that an 800 million won fine on the Aricell corporation was also confirmed. [ 10 ]
- The first trial gave Park 15 years; the appeal court reduced it to four years. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 9 , 10 ]
- The appeal court found Park had no duty to install an emergency exit and did not breach a duty to maintain one, and acquitted him on that part. [ 1 , 3 , 9 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- The Supreme Court finalised the four-year prison sentence for Aricell CEO Park Sun-kwan on 20 October. [ 4 , 5 , 9 , 10 , 12 ]
- The Aricell fire of 24 June 2024 killed 23 workers and injured 9. [ 1 , 3 , 9 ]
- The first trial sentenced Park to 15 years and the appeal court reduced the sentence to four years. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 9 , 10 ]
Still unclear
- The Supreme Court's reasoning beyond the emergency exit question. Only Hankook Ilbo described the ruling's content, including that Park failed to meet his safety and health duties; the other post-ruling items are headlines or a short summary.
- Outcome of the constitutional review request by Park and the Aricell corporation. Newsis said the court was expected to decide it on 20 October, but no document reports the result.
- Outcome for the three other employees sentenced on the same day. Newsis named three Aricell staff awaiting Supreme Court rulings; no document reports their results.
- Reaction of the bereaved families and labor groups to the final ruling. Documents only report a planned press conference at 11:00 outside the Supreme Court.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Yonhap reports that the Supreme Court will rule on Park's appeal that day. [ 1 ]
- Supreme Court First Division scheduled to deliver its ruling. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Newsis and Asia Economy publish flash reports that the four-year sentence is final. [ 4 , 5 ]
- Seoul Economic Daily reports the court upheld the four-year sentence. [ 9 ]
- Hankook Ilbo reports all appeals were dismissed and gives the sentences for Park's son and the company. [ 10 ]
- Labor union, victims' committee and families' council planned a press conference outside the Supreme Court. [ 2 , 3 ]