Korean Faces Stiff Term In Mall Collapse

Prosecutors on Wednesday demanded a 20-year prison term for the owner of a ritzy shopping mall which collapsed in June, killing 501 people and injuring 900.

Lee Joon, 73, is charged with negligence in the June 30 collapse of the five-story Sampoong Department Store. More than 1,500 shoppers were inside at the time.

In a statement to a three-judge panel after closing arguments, the prosecution also sought prison terms of up to seven years for 22 others also charged in the collapse.

Faulty design and poor construction were blamed for the worst civil engineering disaster in South Korean history.

Those on trial include 10 Seoul city officials who allegedly took bribes in exchange for allowing illegal designs and construction.

The collapse attracted wide attention, especially when several people were rescued alive after being trapped for up to 16 days.