Much like Jean Valjean who spent 19 years for stealing bread because of hunger, a man who stole instant ramen to save himself from hunger is being sent to prison.
A 39-year-old man was given a prison sentence for stealing food multiple times by the Daejun Court on October 25.
The man was arrested for theft in May received a suspended sentence of 6 months in jail and 2 years of probation. The next month in June, the 39-year-old broke into a restaurant and stole 6 cans of soda, a portable gas range, and 5 packages of instant ramen. He stole from the same business 3 times over the course of 2 months; the man took instant noodles and coffee drinks, worth about $50 USD. In July, he snuck into an apartment complex and stole 10 yogurt drinks.
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The court concluded that the man committed the crimes as a means to survive and gave him the lightest possible sentencing of 8 months, even though he stole during his probation period.
In the statement, the court said, "Even though he committed similar crimes, the defendant is apologetic and the damage was little," explaining the short period of imprisonment.
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