Samsung, LG continue legal spat over washers

Tech giants Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics continued their battle in court on Monday over the latter’s alleged sabotage of Samsung’s washers.

Samsung filed complaints with the Korean prosecution against Jo Seong-jin, president of LG’s home appliance division, and two LG executives for breaking a total of six washing machines at two SATURN electronics shops in Germany last year and spreading false information implying that Samsung’s washers lack durability.

Monday’s trial was held to examine one of key representatives from the Samsung side, who had refused to make a court appearance twice before.

Samsung’s representative, surnamed Lee who is in charge of advertising and marketing for the tech firm, reiterated that Jo and another LG executive, also surnamed Jo, “broke six Samsung Blue Crystal washers at the SATURN Berlin Europa-Center and SATURN Berlin Steglitz in Germany during the IFA trade show in September last year.”

He also gave more details on how the damaged goods were delivered from Germany to Korea and explanations on some mistakes, such as a false date of delivery for the damaged washing machines, previously stated on written assignments presented to the court by Samsung.

Refuting the allegations of damaging the Samsung products, an attorney for LG hinted his willingness to end the dragging legal suit there during the examination.

LG president Jo and the two LG executive were present at the trial.

In a bid to seek reconciliation, the two tech behemoths sought to settle all ongoing legal disputes in March including the one over the broken Samsung washers, but the prosecution has pushed ahead with the trial.

The prosecution reportedly took the decision since it was disgruntled by LG’s constant request for the transfer of the case from the Seoul Central District Court to a local district court in Changwon where LG runs production lines for home appliances including washing machines.

The next round of trial is scheduled for early next month.

By Kim Young-won (wone0102@heraldcorp.com)