Samsung Union Chief Addresses Controversy Over Deal with Father-in-Law's Company

Choi Seung-ho, head of the Samsung Electronics chapter of the Samsung Group's super-corporate labor union, the largest union at Samsung Electronics, has acknowledged the controversy regarding a contract made with his father-in-law's company for rally preparation supplies such as vests, while maintaining that "no financial gains were involved."

In a clarification posted in an anonymous chat room for union members today (September 9), Choi stated, "Since the formation of the joint struggle headquarters last March, numerous supply and service contracts have been carried out for promotional activities and rally preparations," adding, "It is true that the representative of company A [surrounded by allegations] is the union leader's father-in-law."

He claimed, "However, the contract with company A was not executed to provide unfair benefits to the union leader or his relatives, but was carried out by comparing actual contract conditions at the time, such as pricing and delivery schedules."

He explained that after comprehensively comparing prices, quality, delivery availability, and work experience across multiple companies for the vest order, company A's quote was the cheapest, and taking into account that they could meet the delivery schedule demanded by the joint struggle headquarters at the time.

He also added that this decision was made with the unanimous consent of the joint struggle headquarters executive branch.

Choi stated, "No financial benefits whatsoever, such as rebates, commissions, or refunds, have been attributed to the union leader personally as a result of this contract," and added, "Rather, it was a decision to reduce union dues expenditures by proceeding with a contract at a lower price based on comparative estimates, while meeting the urgent schedule for distributing vests."

He further noted, "Recognizing that even such contracts could be problematic from the perspective of union members, we are now completely excluding them."

Previously, inside Samsung Electronics, suspicions were raised that Choi had contracted his father-in-law's company for vest orders during his time with the joint struggle headquarters, sparking allegations of preferential treatment for family members.

Criticisms were also raised questioning whether unfair profits were obtained in the process.

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.