2 Korean Seamen Jailed

THE Tema Development Corporation (TDC) Magistrate's Court has jailed two Koreans for a total of 12 weeks for assaulting a Ghanaian sailor on board a fishing vessel.

Jeung Young Cheul, chief officer, who allegedly attempted to tie a rope around the sailor's neck during the assault, was sentenced for eight weeks in hard labour, while Lim Hung Sun, a boatswain, will spend four weeks in jail.

They were convicted on their own plea of guilt.

Sergeant George Amegbletor, prosecuting, told the court presided over by Senyo Amedahe that both the complainant, Kweku Seidu, and the accused worked on the MV Young belonging to Afko Fisheries.

He said that at 9 a.m. on May 6, while Seidu and other sailors were drawing a net on the high seas, the Captain of the vessel instructed him to pack some corks.

He said not long after that, Lim approached Seidu and wanted to know what the Captain had told him.

The prosecutor said, Seidu then bent down to demonstrate to the boatswain what he was asked to do, but Lim hit him on the neck with his right foot and followed it up with blows.

The act according to the prosecutor, surprised the Captain, who called out to Seidu to find out what was happening.

The prosecutor said the chief officer, Jeung Young Cheul, who was then operating a machine nearby, rushed to the scene and booted Seidu. He was joined by Lim to beat Seidu.

The prosecutor said the chief officer then attempted to tie a rope around Seidu's neck but he resisted fiercely.

Sgt. Amegbletor said when the vessel docked at the Tema Fishing harbour on May 26, Seidu reported the case to the police after which he was given a medical form to go to hospital for treatment.

Passing judgment, Mr Amedahe said the sentence should serve as a warning to foreigners who treat their employees like animals.

He advised foreigners to reciprocate the hospitality of their Ghanaian employees by treating them well.