A South Korean logistics worker has been acquitted nearly two years after being accused of “stealing” snacks worth just 1,050 won (approximately RM3 or US$0.73) from his workplace fridge.
The dispute began when the logistics firm he worked for filed a claim last year, alleging he took a Choco Pie and a mini custard without permission. Prosecutors initially filed a summary indictment, and a lower court found the worker guilty, fining him 50,000 won—nearly 50 times the value of the snacks.
The worker appealed, insisting he had done nothing wrong. The Jeonju District Court appellate panel ruled in his favor, citing testimonies from 39 other subcontracted employees who confirmed that workers had been permitted to eat snacks from the office fridge, including during night shifts. The court concluded that there was insufficient evidence to prove intent to steal.
The worker’s lawyer said the defendant felt “deeply ashamed that it led to a trial” and was merely hungry when he took the Choco Pie. “There were various ups and downs along the way, but I am very grateful for this outcome, and I believe the defendant feels the same,” the lawyer added.
The case has drawn widespread attention in South Korea, with labour unions comparing the worker’s ordeal to Jean Valjean, the character in Les Misérables who was imprisoned for stealing bread to feed his family.
