A truck driver in South Korea was penalized with a fine of 50,000 won ($35) for taking a Choco Pie and a pack of snacks from an unauthorized company refrigerator.
On the initial hearing held on May 4, the Jeonju District Court imposed a fine on the 41-year-old driver as punishment for theft.
He faced accusations for allegedly stealing a 400-won Choco Pie and a 600-won snack pack from the refrigerator of a logistics firm located in Wanju County, North Jeolla Province, on January 18 of the previous year, as reported.
Korea JoongAng Daily
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At first, prosecutors saw the case as insignificant and chose a streamlined process instead of issuing an official charge. Yet, the driver insisted he was not guilty and called for a full legal proceeding.
He stated that his colleagues informed him that the snacks in the refrigerator were accessible to everyone. “Based on that information, I simply took one Choco Pie and another snack, so I can’t see why this would be considered stealing,” he explained.
The refrigeration supervisor at the firm challenged his version of events: “Our team members have distributed snacks to the drivers before, however, no driver has ever taken anything without authorization.”
The court found the defendant guilty, citing testimonies and company regulations on restricted access. “The second floor of the building, where the incident took place, has a separate partition between the office area and the waiting area for drivers. The truck driver was not allowed into the office area, where the fridge was located at the far end,” the court stated.
A security guard likewise stated that they had neither observed nor utilized the refrigerator.
The court ruled in favor of the logistics company after determining that while employees distributed snacks from the refrigerator to drivers, drivers themselves were not permitted to access or take items without authorization. It emphasized that the office where the fridge was kept was clearly separated from the designated waiting room for drivers.
According to the court, “The accused must have been completely aware that they lacked authorization to dispose of the items in the refrigerator.”
Maeil Business Newspaper
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After the ruling, the motorist submitted an appeal to a superior court.
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