A driver in South Korea who was accused of “stealing” Choco Pie has been acquitted after a nearly two-year trial. The man was initially accused of taking a Choco Pie and a mini custard worth 1,050 won from their office refrigerator.
Initially, the prosecutor wanted to give the driver just a summary indictment, in which he would pay a small fine. But the worker refused and requested a formal trial to prove his innocence. In the first verdict, he was fined 50,000 won, but he immediately appealed.
In the final decision, the court said there was no sufficient basis to say that the driver stole. According to the ruling, the company itself said that drivers could eat snacks in the office. Many subcontracted workers and security officers also admitted to taking snacks from the refrigerator.
The court added that it was difficult to prove that he had the intention to steal, especially since many employees also did so. As a result, the driver was acquitted. According to his lawyer, the driver suffered a lot of shame because of a simple hunger that led to a long case.
The incident became a hot topic in South Korea, and the driver was even compared to Jean Valjean from “Les Miserables,” who was imprisoned for stealing bread for his family.
