Samsung has accused arch rival LG Electronics of deliberately vandalising their washing machines prior to the recent IFA show in Berlin, they claim that the head of LG’s appliance division was directly involved in an incident inside a German retail store
The Korean Company has submitted a report to South Korean prosecutors that claims that LG executives deliberately broke hinges on their washing machines which LG executives have claimed were “vulnerable” to breaking.
The drama unfolded when an a German retail store in Berlin called in the police after an LG Electronics employees had allegedly damaged the doors of four high-end “Crystal Blue” washing machines, which retail for over $3,000.
An LG spokesman confirmed the incident in a statement last week, but said that there was no deliberate intent to vandalize the machines. Instead, he said the employees, which he described as “researchers,” were simply conducting market research prior to the IFA show.
The Wall Street Journal said that LG executives paid for the four damaged appliances and none of its employees were arrested by German Police officers who attended the store.
Samsung then revealed that Jo Seong-jin, the president and chief executive of LG’s home appliance division, was allegedly directly involved in a related incident, at another store in Berlin, in which three other Samsung washing machines were damaged.
Mr. Jo couldn’t be reached for comment.
An LG spokeswoman blamed the breaking of the washing-machine doors on the poor quality of the Samsung door hinges.
“Our executives, which included a company president, indeed paid this shop during a visit to check out a number of products,” LG’s statement said,
She did not directly identify the LG executive.
