Decision ID: 003538

In October 2008 the 1992 Fund Executive Committee noted that Seosan Branch of the Daejeon District Court had in June 2008 rendered a judgement in the criminal proceedings in respect of the Hebei Spirit incident. It was recalled that the Hebei Spirit had been struck by the crane barge Samsung No 1 while at anchor about five miles off Taean on the west coast of Korea and that the barge had been towed by two tugs (Samsung T-5 and Samsung T-3) when the tow line broke. It was also recalled that the crane barge and the two tugs had been owned and/or operated by Samsung Corporation and its subsidiary Samsung Heavy Industries. It was noted that the Court had sentenced the masters of the two tugboats to three years imprisonment and a fine of KRW 2 million and one year imprisonment respectively, and that Samsung Heavy Industries had been sentenced to a fine of KRW 30 million, whereas the Master and the Chief Officer of the Hebei Spirit had not beeen found guilty of any criminal offence. It was also noted that the prosecutor had appelead against the aquittal of the Master and the Chief Officer of the Hebei Spirit.