“Aricell Executives Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison… A Test Case for South Korea’s Industrial Manslaughter Law”, 30 September 2025

On 24 June 2024, a fire broke out at the Aricell lithium battery factory, claiming the lives of 23 workers. Just over a year later, on 23 September 2025, the court handed down heavy prison sentences—15 years each—to Aricell CEO Park Soon-gwan and Chief Operating Officer Park Jung-eon, recognising them as the key figures responsible for the disaster.

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The court’s ruling made clear that this was not a mere “accident.” Multiple warnings had preceded the fire, indicating clear signs of risk. The tragedy was entirely preventable. Yet the company’s leadership knowingly ignored these warnings, prioritising cost-cutting over safety. As a result of this irresponsibility, 23 lives were lost, and bereaved families continue to endure daily suffering under the weight of their loss.

Against this harrowing backdrop, had the court once again resorted to lenient sentencing, the Serious Accidents Punishment Act would have been reduced to a symbolic measure—undermining its very purpose and promise of justice.