Prosecutors considering citizen review in ‘Choco Pie theft’ case

A collection of Choco Pies available throughout Korea, captured in this 2015 photo. [YONHAP]

Prosecutors are currently mulling over whether to establish a citizen review committee ahead of the upcoming appeal hearing for a logistics worker charged with theft of Korean snacks — specifically, a Choco Pie and Custard — from an office fridge, totaling 1,050 won (approximately 75 cents).

On Tuesday, the Jeonju District Prosecutors’ Office made a statement indicating that they are “evaluating the possibility of forming the prosecutors’ citizen committee regarding this case.”

The upcoming hearing is set for October 30, providing ample time for them to deliberate the next steps.

What is a Citizen Review Committee?

Established in 2010, the citizen committee system was designed to prevent misuse of prosecutorial power by ensuring greater fairness and transparency. Typically, these committees assess the appropriateness of investigations, indictments, or warrant requests in high-profile cases that garner public interest.

Though their verdicts aren’t legally binding, findings from these committees are often taken seriously by prosecutors and significantly influence ongoing investigations and legal proceedings.

A case that reflects this system’s impact happened in July 2020, involving a convenience store worker who faced charges for mistakenly consuming a 5,900 won pork meal, wrongly believing it was still good. Ultimately, the Seoul Central District Court acquitted the individual, with prosecutors choosing not to pursue their appeal, adhering to the recommendations of the citizen committee while placing value on justice and fairness.

Shin Dae-kyung, the chief prosecutor at the Jeonju District Prosecutors’ Office, recently shared with the media that both this Choco Pie case and the pork situation bear notable similarities, emphasizing that they would “evaluate possibilities mostly guided by common sense.”

The logistics worker in question, a 41-year-old contractor, was charged with stealing a 450 won Choco Pie and a 600 won Custard from the office fridge in Wanju County at an early morning hour — precisely 4:06 a.m. on January 18, 2024. Consequently, the firm brought the matter to the police.

Following police involvement and a swift indictment through summary proceedings, the worker was fined 500,000 won due to the negligible value of the stolen items. He asserted his innocence, fearing that a theft conviction might jeopardize his employment.

After a trial hearing on May 4, the court found him guilty, imposing a fine of 50,000 won. The worker has subsequently appealed the verdict.

This case has stirred quite a controversy; during its first appeal hearing last Thursday, a judge expressed astonishment, questioning, “Is this really necessary? Do we need to go this far?”

This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the support of generative AI tools, followed by editing from a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations undergo review and enhancement by our editorial team.

BY JANG GU-SEUL [kim.juyeon2@joongang.co.kr]