LG chief cleared of damaging Samsung washing machines

[THE INVESTOR] The South Korean Supreme Court on Oct. 27 upheld a lower court ruling that acquitted Cho Seong-jin, CEO of LG Electronics’ home and appliance unit, of intentionally vandalizing Samsung washing machines at a retail store in Berlin.

The top court ruled in favor of Cho, saying it found no error in the lower court’s decision. It also found two other LG executives not guilty. 

Three LG executives were indicted in February 2015 after Samsung Electronics filed a suit accusing them of deliberately breaking the doors of its high-end Crystal Blue washers at two stores in Berlin, ahead of a consumer electronics trade show in the German city in September 2014.
 
Together with Cho, a senior official, surnamed Jo, was indicted of damaging the washers, while public relations executive Jeon was charged with spreading negative information about Samsung's washers in a press release following the incident.

During the first two trials, the court acquitted them, citing insufficient evidence to prove that the executives intentionally destroyed the machines. 

The court also ruled the press release was expressing an opinion, not issuing false information.

By Ahn Sung-mi (sahn@heraldcorp.com)