25.09.22.Today News : ‘Choco Pie Theft’ Trial: A 1,050-Won Case Sparks Nationwide Debate

‘Choco Pie Theft’ Trial: A 1,050-Won Case Sparks Nationwide Debate

📍Security guard accused after eating snacks from office fridge… Appeal hinges on whether it was a workplace custom, public decries harshness

A case in which a security guard was prosecuted for eating a 1,050-won Choco Pie and custard from an office refrigerator has ignited public debate across South Korea. What began as a minor workplace incident has turned into a symbolic legal battle reflecting not just legal technicalities but also workplace conflicts and social values.

The incident of eating a chocolate pie worth a mere 1,050 won has escalated into a criminal trial, sparking controversy.

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■ How it started: A midnight snack becomes a crime
The incident occurred on January 18 last year at 4 a.m. inside a logistics company’s office at Hyundai Motor’s Jeonju plant in Wanju, North Jeolla Province. A 41-year-old security guard employed by a subcontractor ate a Choco Pie (worth 450 won) and a custard (worth 600 won) from the office refrigerator during his night shift. The company later reviewed CCTV footage and reported him for theft.

■ First trial: Guilty verdict and fine
Prosecutors indicted the guard on theft charges, and the first trial court imposed a fine of 50,000 won. The court concluded that he had opened the fridge and taken snacks without permission, constituting theft under criminal law. The ruling placed his job at risk, as a theft conviction could lead to dismissal.

■ The appeal: Was it a workplace custom?
The guard appealed, arguing that eating from the office fridge was a long-standing custom. Dozens of his colleagues submitted statements claiming they had also eaten Choco Pies from the fridge. His lawyer argued that not only logistics staff but also security guards and delivery drivers had regularly shared snacks kept in the fridge.

■ Courtroom atmosphere: Judge calls case “harsh”
At the first appeal hearing on January 18, the defense requested two new witnesses. Presiding Judge Kim Do-hyung remarked, “It feels harsh to take this matter this far,” reflecting doubts within the judiciary about the proportionality of the case. Legal observers also questioned whether such a minor incident warranted criminal prosecution.

■ Legal debate: The concept of “implied consent”
Under Korean law, theft requires absence of consent from the owner. However, if social norms recognize implied consent, theft may not be established. The Supreme Court previously ruled that taking money from a cohabitant’s wallet did not constitute theft because the victim did not object on the spot. Similarly, if the appeal proves that using the office fridge was customary, the guilty verdict could be overturned.

■ Public reaction: “Is this justice?”
Public opinion has been sharply critical. Online users commented, “Is this worth a trial?”, “I’ll pay the 50,000 won fine myself,” and “The poor are punished, the rich are spared.” The defendant has already spent over 10 million won on legal fees—nearly 10,000 times the value of the snacks. Many see the case as emblematic of workplace power struggles, union tensions, and the unforgiving nature of Korean society.

■ What’s next: Appeal outcome may set precedent
The next hearing is scheduled for the 30th. If testimony confirms that fridge use was a shared practice, the defendant could be acquitted. The appeal’s outcome may set a precedent for how courts balance legal principles, workplace customs, and social reasonableness in minor cases.

One-line summary : A 1,050-won snack led to a theft charge, with the appeal focusing on whether fridge use was a workplace custom.