Forced Factory Partition Breeds Criminal Theft Allegations
When the client and an associate dissolved their manufacturing partnership after just a few months, the remaining lease forced them to split the factory floor for a year before relocating equipment and materials, vetlaw.co.kr reported.
That physical relocation triggered a criminal complaint from the former partner. The accuser targeted both the client and an employee, lodging allegations of theft for allegedly taking shared machinery and using supplies during production.
Establishing a Paper Trail Before the Physical Move
Here is the math on how corporate splits collide with criminal law. When the dispute reached the investigative stage, lawyers from Veter Law Firm intervened to establish the paper trail before the physical move began.
That advance preparation proved decisive when police reviewed the ownership of the contested inventory. The investigating agency found that the core machinery belonged directly to the client, while other items were purchased after the partnership formally dissolved.
Police Find No Evidence of Criminal Intent or Theft
| Dispute Phase | Action Taken | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Relocation | Advised client to document equipment division via text messages | Established clear contemporaneous evidence |
| Investigation | Proved majority of equipment and materials were client-purchased | Refuted claims of unlawful appropriation |
| Police Review | Assessed disputed consumable items as nominal in value | Issued non-indictment (no grounds for charges) decisions |
Investigators determined there was no criminal intent to misappropriate property without consent. Regarding the employee who used certain materials during manufacturing, the police found no evidence that the client directed unlawful use or that theft occurred.
Nominal Values and Non-Indictment Decisions
For the miscellaneous consumables where ownership remained ambiguous, authorities noted that even under the accuser’s own figures, the total value amounted to only a few thousand won.
Ultimately, the police issued a non-indictment decision due to insufficient evidence for both the client and the employee. The case highlights how early documentation during business breakups prevents civil disputes from escalating into criminal investigations.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.
