south Korean Man Acquitted of ‘Theft‘ Over 60-Cent Office Snack After Two-Year Legal Battle
JEONJU, SOUTH KOREA – A South Korean man has been acquitted of charges stemming from consuming office refrigerator snacks, a case that ignited public outcry and drew comparisons to Victor Hugo’s Les Misรฉrables. The legal saga, triggered by a complaint from his employer, concluded Friday with a court overturning a prior conviction and 50,000 won (approximately $40 USD) fine.
The case, initially centered around a minor infraction – the unauthorized consumption of treats valued at roughly 60 cents – ballooned into a two-year legal dispute over workplace access and employee rights. It highlights growing concerns in South Korea regarding the treatment of subcontracted workers and the potential for disproportionate responses to minor workplace issues. The man,who maintained his innocence throughout,argued he believed office snacks were available to all workers.
The company filed a complaint,asserting that only its direct employees were permitted to access the refrigerator without express permission,a restriction not extended to its subcontractors. The prosecution initially pursued a summary procedure, deeming the offense minimal, but the man opted for a full trial, leading to a guilty verdict and the 50,000 won fine – a penalty nearly 50 times the value of the snacks.
His appeal hinged on establishing a precedent of accepted “snack at the office” access for all workers. Crucially,the testimony of 39 fellow subcontractors,who admitted to similarly accessing the refrigerator when hungry,proved pivotal. The court of appeal ultimately ruled it “difficult to conclude that the accused had the intention to steal.”
“I am very grateful for this outcome and I believe that the defendant shares this feeling,” the man’s lawyer told reporters, reiterating that his client “had just been hungry early one morning.” The case quickly resonated with labor unions, who likened the man’s situation to Jean Valjean, the protagonist of Les Misรฉrables, unjustly punished for attempting to provide for his family.
