Gym Owner, Trainer Acquitted in Death of Member Pinned by Barbell

A man in his 40s died after a tragic accident at a Busan gym, where he was performing a solo bench press with 70 kilograms. The member was found pinned under the barbell for 25 minutes before being discovered. He later died in the hospital due to hypoxic brain damage.

Prosecutors charged the gym owner and a trainer with professional negligence, arguing they failed to hire enough staff as required by law and that the trainer on duty neglected to monitor the member's activity. South Korea's Sports Facilities Act mandates one trainer for facilities under 300 square meters and at least two for larger ones.

However, a court in Busan acquitted the owner and trainer. The judge reasoned that unlike swimming pools, gym trainers are not required to constantly monitor all members via surveillance. The court also noted that given the rapid onset of death from suffocation, even immediate detection might not have saved the member's life, leading to their acquittal.