Police Investigate Samsung Electronics Union Leader Over Alleged Favoritism Toward Father-in-Law's Company

Investigation of Complainant Kim by Seominwi Completed on October 6

The police have launched an investigation into Choi Seungho, Chairman of Samsung Group's Supra-Enterprise Labor Union Samsung Electronics Branch, who is suspected of having placed orders for union rally supplies with a company run by his father-in-law.

Choi Seungho, Chairman of the Samsung Electronics Branch of the Samsung Group Supra-Enterprise Labor Union. Photo by Yonhap News

On the morning of October 6, the Nowon Police Station in Seoul summoned Kim Soonhwan, Secretary General of the People’s Livelihood Countermeasure Committee (Seominwi), who filed the complaint, and conducted an interview as the complainant. Kim had accused Choi of breach of trust and obstruction of business.

The Seominwi filed the complaint with the police on September 10, arguing that it was inappropriate for Choi to have signed a contract and purchased rally and promotional supplies from a company operated by his father-in-law during his activities with the Joint Struggle Headquarters.

It has been reported that, since the formation of the Joint Struggle Headquarters in March, Choi purchased rally-related items such as raincoats, signal batons, amplifiers, and vests from Company A, which is represented by his father-in-law. The contract was worth approximately 300 million won.

The Seominwi asserted, "He should have selected the supplier according to objective criteria, such as excluding companies operated by family members from consideration," arguing that Choi's actions constituted breach of trust and obstruction of business.

Following the controversy, Choi acknowledged that a contract had indeed been made with his father-in-law’s company but rebutted the allegations, claiming the transaction was not intended as favoritism or for personal gain. He explained that the selection process comprehensively compared aspects such as price, quality, delivery schedule, and work experience. Regarding the order for vests, Choi said that Company A’s quoted price was 8,500 won per item, which was lower than other bids, and that the urgent delivery schedule was also a factor. He further stated that he received no financial benefit, such as rebates or commissions, from the contract.

A police official said, "Considering that Choi's address is in Gyeonggi Province, we are also considering transferring the case to another police station."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.