LG Executive Indicted For Washing Machine ‘Sabotage’

The technology world is getting so competitive that it appears even innocent household appliances are no longer safe.

Shocking video footage has emerged of an LG executive blatantly vandalising a high-end Samsung washing machine at a trade show in Berlin last year.

In what will no doubt be long remembered as ‘Crystal Blue-gate’, Jo Seong-jin, head of LG’s home appliances division, is captured abusing the appliances alongside other LG employees in plain sight of uniformed Samsung personnel.

The door of the appliance, (pictured below) which sells for around £1750, comes in for particular attention, as the LG employees look to see how much punishment it can take.

The Humanity

Jo, along with two other employees, have now been indicted by local prosecutors on a charge of causing deliberate damage.

The release of the footage is the latest step in the long-running lawsuit surrounding the incident, with LG initially agreeing to pay for the damage back in September. However Samsung, citing property damage and defamation, filed a lawsuit later in the month.

LG, in turn, countersued, complaining of evidence tampering, and Jo’s lawyer Ham Yoon-keun says there is not enough evidence to warrant a conviction.

“It is questionable whether there is sufficient evidence to prove that the president of a global company deliberately destroyed the machines where employees of the competing company were present,” Ham told the Wall Street Journal.

Hilariously, LG says its employees can’t be held responsible for Samsung’s shoddy craftsmanship, telling the WSJ in December, “Unlike washing machines from other companies, a certain company’s washing machine model was particularly weak on the hinges.”

How much do you know about hacking? Take our quiz!

Steve McCaskill

Steve McCaskill is editor of TechWeekEurope and ChannelBiz. He joined as a reporter in 2011 and covers all areas of IT, with a particular interest in telecommunications, mobile and networking, along with sports technology.

Recent Posts

Russia Accused Of Cyberattack On Germany’s Ruling Party, Defence Firms

German foreign minister warns Russia will face consequences for “absolutely intolerable” cyberattack on ruling party,…

2 days ago

Alphabet Axes Hundreds Of Staff From ‘Core’ Organisation

Google is reportedly laying off at least 200 staff from its “Core” organisation, including key…

2 days ago

Apple Announces Record Share Buyback, Amid iPhone Sales Decline

Investor appeasement? Apple unveils huge $110 billion share buyback program, as sales of iPhone decline…

2 days ago

Tesla Backs Away From Gigacasting Manufacturing – Report

Tesla retreats from pioneering gigacasting manufacturing process, amid cost cutting and challenges at EV giant

3 days ago

US Urges No AI Control Of Nuclear Weapons

No skynet please. After the US, UK and France pledge human only control of nuclear…

3 days ago