Owner Sentenced in S. Korea Collapse
SEOUL — The owner of a ritzy shopping mall that collapsed in June, killing 501 people and injuring 900, was sentenced today to 10 1/2 years in prison for negligence.
Lee Joon, 73, was found to be at fault for the June 30 collapse of the five-story Sampoong Department Store while more than 1,500 shoppers were inside.
Lee’s son and president of the mall, 43-year-old Lee Han Sang, was given a seven-year sentence. He was convicted of negligence and bribing government officials.
The sentences were in line with the prosecution’s requests.
Faulty design and poor construction were blamed for the disaster.
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