Exposing Apartment Residents to Danger
Court Sentences to 1 Year in Prison, Suspended for 2 Years, Gas pipeline reference photo (not directly related to the article). Yonhap News,
A man in his 50s who cut a gas pipe after an argument during a drinking session about the dangers of cutting a gas pipe has been sentenced to a suspended prison term.
On the 25th, the Gwangju District Court’s Criminal Division 11 (Presiding Judge Ko Sang-young) sentenced A (56), who was charged with attempted gas release, to 1 year in prison suspended for 2 years and ordered probation. Additionally, a special compliance order was imposed to prevent alcohol consumption with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.03% or higher.
A was indicted for cutting the gas pipe in a friend’s apartment in Gwangju on April 24, exposing the apartment complex residents to danger.
A was drinking with friends and watching TV when he got into an argument after a broadcast about the management of LPG gas tanks at construction sites.
The group debated whether cutting a gas pipe could lead to explosions and fires, or if safety valves would prevent immediate gas leakage.
Intoxicated, A said, “You’ll understand if you cut it,” and cut the gas pipe. A friend quickly closed the valve, preventing an actual explosion or fire, although some gas was leaked.
A stated, “While drunk and arguing with friends, I thought simply ‘Let me cut the gas pipe’ and committed the act.”
The court stated, “The charges are all acknowledged and cutting the gas hose posed significant fire risks, leading to a high statutory penalty. However, considering the reflection on the act and that it was impulsively done under the influence of alcohol, these factors were taken into account.”