The family of a victim in a murder-suicide case involving coworkers at a Korean-American business from two years ago has been granted $2 million in compensation.
The incident occurred on May 23, 2022, at Pacific Vial, a glass bottle manufacturer in Commerce, CA.
Suk Hwan Ou, 50, a vice president of the company at the time, shot and killed Ronald Lee, 52, the company’s president, multiple times before shooting himself in the head.
In February, both parties reached an agreement, with Lee’s family accepting a $2 million settlement to be paid from Ou’s estate. This was outlined in an L.A. County Superior Court ruling dated March 1.
Ronald Lee’s wife, Sandra Lee, and their adult children, Boo Jun Lee and Ivie S. Lee, filed a civil lawsuit on Sept. 20, 2022, against the late Ou’s estate.
As heirs and successors of Ou’s estate, they included Mr. Ou’s wife, So Yeon You, and unnamed beneficiaries.
Earlier, on Sept. 6, 2022, You filed a spousal property petition with the court for two properties owned by her late husband, according to the complaint.
According to the complaint, Mr. Ou fired six shots at Mr. Lee on the day of the incident.
After the initial shooting, Lee survived for a while, but Ou shot him again and then shot himself in the head, ending his own life, the complaint stated.
The plaintiffs are suing for emotional distress, deprivation of financial support, and other benefits due to the death of their beloved husband and father of 29 years, according to the complaint.
The ruling is of interest to the legal community because it involves a legal case between survivors of the deceased. “The family of a wrongfully killed victim can file a lawsuit against the perpetrator’s estate even if the perpetrator is dead,” Dan Lee, a lawyer, told The Korea Daily. “The amount of compensation is determined based on an evaluation by a financial expert who considers the deceased victim’s health, age, occupation, and income. However, the plaintiff cannot receive more than the value of the deceased defendant’s estate.”
Lee, who was killed, and Ou, who took his own life, had worked together at the company for more than 20 years, but were reportedly in conflict over patents at the time of the incident.
According to the patent search site Justia Patent, Lee is listed as the inventor of a specialty glass container, but the company is listed as the assignee.
Pacific Vial, which was reportedly founded in 2000, is currently run by Lee’s wife, Sandra Lee.
BY SUAH JANG, JUNHAN PARK [jang.suah@koreadaily.com]
