April 27, 2024
Samsung
Shady connections between Samsung, media revealed
[THE INVESTOR] Text messages sent to a high-ranking Samsung executive are causing an uproar as they reveal shady connections between the nation’s largest conglomerate and the Korean media.
Sisain, a local weekly magazine, on Aug. 7 revealed several text messages sent to Chang Choong-ki, former vice head of Samsung Group’s Future Strategy Office, the now dissolved control tower office that used to oversee key business decisions across Samsung companies, including media sponsorships.
According to the messages, former and current senior editors at local media companies asked for sponsorships in return for favorable articles about Samsung and the owner family. Some also asked for detailed personal favors, such as helping their children get jobs at Samsung affiliates. While requesting ads or sponsorships are a routine part of the media’s business relations, the fact that the editors offered preferential treatment can be viewed as bribes.
Sisain claims the messages were part of those acquired by a special prosecutors’ team investigating the bribery charges of Samsung Group Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong and other ranking executives, including Chang, in relation to the snowballing corruption scandal that removed former President Park Geun-hye in April.
Most of the messages were revealed with the real names of the senders and their companies. Labor unions of some companies immediately requested an investigation and disciplinary action.
In the meantime, the prosecution on Aug. 7 sought a 12-year jail term for the 49-year-old Samsung heir for his role in Samsung’s financial support worth a combined 43.3 billion won to Park’s long-time confidante Choi Soon-sil.
His top aides Choi Gee-sung, former chief of the control tower office, Park Sang-jin, a former Samsung Electronics executive who served as chairman of the Korea Equestrian Federation, and Chang also face a 10-year jail term.
The final court ruling is scheduled for Aug. 25.
By Alex Lee (alexlee@heraldcorp.com)
Sisain, a local weekly magazine, on Aug. 7 revealed several text messages sent to Chang Choong-ki, former vice head of Samsung Group’s Future Strategy Office, the now dissolved control tower office that used to oversee key business decisions across Samsung companies, including media sponsorships.
According to the messages, former and current senior editors at local media companies asked for sponsorships in return for favorable articles about Samsung and the owner family. Some also asked for detailed personal favors, such as helping their children get jobs at Samsung affiliates. While requesting ads or sponsorships are a routine part of the media’s business relations, the fact that the editors offered preferential treatment can be viewed as bribes.
Sisain claims the messages were part of those acquired by a special prosecutors’ team investigating the bribery charges of Samsung Group Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong and other ranking executives, including Chang, in relation to the snowballing corruption scandal that removed former President Park Geun-hye in April.
Most of the messages were revealed with the real names of the senders and their companies. Labor unions of some companies immediately requested an investigation and disciplinary action.
In the meantime, the prosecution on Aug. 7 sought a 12-year jail term for the 49-year-old Samsung heir for his role in Samsung’s financial support worth a combined 43.3 billion won to Park’s long-time confidante Choi Soon-sil.
His top aides Choi Gee-sung, former chief of the control tower office, Park Sang-jin, a former Samsung Electronics executive who served as chairman of the Korea Equestrian Federation, and Chang also face a 10-year jail term.
The final court ruling is scheduled for Aug. 25.
By Alex Lee (alexlee@heraldcorp.com)
