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🇰🇷 South Korea /Conflict & Security

CEO of Subcontractor Denied Bail in 'Ulsan Diver Death' Case; Court Cites 'Serious Crime'

From Hankyoreh · (1d ago) Korean Critical tone

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • A subcontractor's CEO, arrested in connection with a diver's death at the HD Hyundai Mipo shipyard, had his bail request denied.
  • The court cited the severity of the charges, including violations of the Serious Accidents Punishment Act, as grounds for denial.
  • Investigations are ongoing into the parent company, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, and its former executives regarding safety protocols.

A court has denied bail for the CEO of a subcontracting company, Ha A-mu-gae (49), who faces charges including violations of the Serious Accidents Punishment Act following the death of a young diver at the HD Hyundai Mipo shipyard in Ulsan. The Ulsan District Court's decision, delivered by Presiding Judge Lee Jae-wook, cited the gravity of the alleged offenses as the primary reason for rejecting the bail application, deeming them "serious crimes" that do not meet the criteria for release.

Ha is accused of negligence in safety measures while conducting underwater inspections near Pier 1 of the HD Hyundai Mipo shipyard on December 30, 2024. This alleged negligence led to the death of Kim A-mu-gae (22), a diver employed by Ha's company, Daehan Marine Industrial. Ha was arrested last month on charges of evidence tampering and flight risk, and subsequently indicted earlier this month. During the first trial on the 13th, Ha submitted a settlement agreement purportedly signed by HD Hyundai Mipo and the victim's family, a move the family's representatives decried as a "deceptive act" intended to mislead the court, and they submitted a statement urging severe punishment.

The court ruled that the defendant's charges fall under the category of 'serious crimes,' making him ineligible for bail.

— Ulsan District CourtThe court explained its decision to deny bail for the subcontractor's CEO.

Meanwhile, prosecutors have recently searched the offices of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, which absorbed HD Hyundai Mipo, and are investigating its former CEO and safety officials concerning the incident. This ongoing investigation into the parent company and its leadership underscores the broader scrutiny of safety management systems within the shipbuilding giant. The denial of bail for the subcontractor's CEO reflects the judiciary's firm stance on accountability under the Serious Accidents Punishment Act, particularly in cases involving workplace fatalities.

The court's decision to deny bail is a deceptive act hoping the court will make a wrong judgment.

— Victim's family representativeThe family of the deceased diver expressed their view on the CEO's attempt to use a settlement agreement for bail.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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