In sorting out who is at fault in the nation's worst oil spill, the Supreme Court in Seoul has overturned a lower court's decision that found the captains of both vessels involved guilty.

In December 2007, a crane barge owned by Samsung Heavy Industries collided with the Hong Kong-registered crude tanker Hebei Spirit off the coast of Taean in South Chungcheong Province. This resulted in the leakage of 12,000 tons of crude oil into the West Sea. The captains were later fined and sentenced to jail, but Thursday's decision nullifies the punishments and sends the matter back to the local district court.

The nation's highest court says the degree of damage to the vessels does not justify the punishments. The court, however, acknowledges the charge of marine pollution as valid and is holding the companies involved accountable upholding fines on both companies.

In 2008, a lower court fined Samsung Heavy Industries and Hebei Spirit Shipping each W30 million (US$1=W1,346). The initial ruling had some critics pointing out that the oil tanker was anchored and unable to avoid the collision.

The estimated damage to local tourism and fishing industries, according to the International Oil Pollution Compensation Funds, exceeds W570 billion.

The ruling could influence a separate civil lawsuit brought against Samsung by locals who were affected by the spill.