[Aju News DB]
South Korean state prosecutors challenged a court decision to reject arrest warrants for three executives from McDonald's local contractor, saying they were suspected of supplying meat for one million burger patties without proper hygiene measures.
Prosecutors filed for warrants last week to arrest the hamburger patty supplier's managing director, product quality manager and factory manager on charges of overlooking or manipulating a hygiene inspection.
On Tuesday, a Seoul court refused to issue arrest warrants, saying there are no proper reasons and validity to detain the three businessmen. The prosecutors' office in Seoul vowed to send a new request for warrants with reinforced evidence, insisting they could seek the destruction of evidence.
In South Korea, the American fast-food chain has been locked in a high-profile court battle with the alleged victim of "hamburger disease", also known as hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS).
The mother of a 5-year-old girl sued McDonald's, claiming her daughter became sick after eating McDonald's burgers in September last year. McDonald's South Korean branch apologized and promised to strengthen food safety.
In a separate case in September, McDonald's suspended sales of Bulgogi Burger, a best-selling localized menu, temporarily over allegations that seven primary school students and their teacher suffered from intestinal inflammation after eating the menu in Jeonju, some 195 kilometers (121 miles) south of Seoul.
Bulgogi Burger sales resumed after health officials detected no evidence. Bulgogi is a Korean-style grilled or roasted dish made of thin, marinated slices of beef or pork, grilled on a barbecue or on a stove-top griddle.
In a statement on Tuesday, prosecutors said the company in question is suspected of providing meat for one million hamburger patties to McDonald's last year, although a hygiene test showed some patties were contaminated with the 0-157 virus. The company was also accused of continuing to provide hamburger patties from October last year without additional tests, saying its products have met safety standards.
reporter
Lim Chang-won
cwlim34@ajunews.com
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