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Lotte indicted over poor construction management of its skyscraper

August 10, 2015
In the file photo taken on April 23, 2015, firefighters spray water in front of Lotte World Tower, a 123-story skyscraper, in Seoul's Songpa Ward, as they conduct a firefighting drill. Prosecutors said on Aug. 10, 2015, they have indicted Lotte Engineering & Construction Co. over poor construction management of the building. (Yonhap)

In the file photo taken on April 23, 2015, firefighters spray water in front of Lotte World Tower, a 123-story skyscraper, in Seoul’s Songpa Ward, as they conduct a firefighting drill. Prosecutors said on Aug. 10, 2015, they have indicted Lotte Engineering & Construction Co. over poor construction management of the building. (Yonhap)

SEOUL (Yonhap) — Lotte Engineering & Construction Co. was indicted on charges of poor management of the construction site of its skyscraper in Seoul, prosecutors said Monday.

The move comes amid a family feud of Lotte founder Shin Kyuk-ho over control of South Korea’s fifth-largest conglomerate, whose businesses span insurance, an amusement park and hotels as well as food and retail sectors.

The Seoul Eastern District Prosecutor’s Office said it charged the construction arm of South Korea’s Lotte Group and its executive director, identified only by his surname Kim, with violating the Industrial Safety and Health Act while building the 123-story Lotte World Tower.

Prosecutors said Lotte violated the law in 109 cases, including the absence of a safety fence and debris net.

Still, Lotte claimed there could be a misunderstanding, saying it cannot accept the charges in about 50 cases.

Lotte has been beset by a series of safety accidents at the construction site of the skyscraper in eastern Seoul. The accidents have killed three construction workers since 2013.

The tower is set to be South Korea’s tallest structure upon its completion set for 2016.