Spin cycle: Samsung says LG vandalised their washing machines at IFA

Samsung said Sunday it had requested a state investigation of senior executives from its South Korean rival LG for allegedly destroying its products at stores in Berlin, renewing a bitter feud between the electronics giants. Samsung said it had asked Seoul prosecutors to investigate “a president and other executives of a Korean company” for defamation, property damage and obstruction of business. LG admitted Sunday that its executives were the target of the accusation.

It is very unfortunate that Samsung had to request that a high-ranking executive be investigated by the nation’s legal authorities, but this was inevitable, as we concluded that we had to get to the bottom of this incident.

Statement issued by Samsung

Samsung complained earlier this month that several washing machines at two major electronics stores in the German capital were found damaged in the same manner. The incident took place during the high-profile IFA trade fair in Berlin (pictured above), where major electronics giants including Samsung and LG showcase their latest gadgets and appliances. Surveillance video footage showed several Asian men – later identified as executives from the rival firm – destroy door hinges of the washers and leave, Samsung said. LG rejected part of the accusation, saying its executives had made the visit only for market research and had no intention of destroying products on display.

Washing machines from a certain company appeared to have far weaker door hinges than those from others. We hope that this incident is not aimed at tarnishing our reputation as the world’s top maker of washing machines.

Statement issued by LG

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