South Korean Battery CEO Jailed 15 Years Over Fatal Factory Fire Killing 23

The CEO of South Korean lithium battery maker Aricell, Park Soon-kwan, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for a deadly factory fire in June 2024 that killed 23 workers, mostly Chinese nationals. The Suwon District Court ruled that the company prioritized profit over worker safety, citing failures such as a locked emergency exit route located in an area off-limits to dispatched workers, which contributed significantly to the high death toll. Park was convicted under the Serious Accidents Punishment Act and the Industrial Safety and Health Act, marking the longest prison term under the law since its enforcement in 2022. Park's son, also a senior executive, received the same prison sentence and a fine for his role in worsening safety conditions. Prosecutors highlighted the company's gross neglect of safety inspections and failure to maintain evacuation routes, with the court noting the fire was an accident waiting to happen rather than a misfortune. Park apologized to the victims' families but denied allegations of safety lapses, while the case underscores the harsh consequences of disregarding industrial safety in South Korea.