Samsung chairman on the run
One of our neighbours here in Hannam-Dong, the Samsung Group Chairman Lee Kun-hee, visited Korea University in Seoul May 2 to receive his honorary Ph.D. degree. Mr Lee recently donated 40 billion won to Korea University. Unconnected events, of course.
However, he was met with protests from a group of students, determined that Mr Lee's anti-union policy would not go unnoticed. The ceremony was cut short, very short. The resulting comments in the Korean papers were rather funny: the protests were described as "violent" (no violence took place) and "embarrassing" (the anti-union policy of one of the most powerful companies in Korea would seem to be more embarrassing). Korea University Chancellor Eo Yun-dae felt so embarrassed that he resigned along with his executive officers. There is talk of disciplinary action against the protesters.
Recently, 12 workers of Samsung SDI found out that they were under secret surveillance with specially "prepared" Samsung cellphones and GPS devices. The police have closed the case, after being "unable to establish" who was behind the illegal surveillance.
Furthermore, before the incident with the cellphones, a Korean court sentenced Kim Seong-hwan, President of Samsung General Trade Union, to imprisonment for 3 years and 10 months for committing libel against Samsung SDI. If you are employed by Samsung, and a trade union activist, you have to watch your tongue.
More about Samsung chairman protests here.
However, he was met with protests from a group of students, determined that Mr Lee's anti-union policy would not go unnoticed. The ceremony was cut short, very short. The resulting comments in the Korean papers were rather funny: the protests were described as "violent" (no violence took place) and "embarrassing" (the anti-union policy of one of the most powerful companies in Korea would seem to be more embarrassing). Korea University Chancellor Eo Yun-dae felt so embarrassed that he resigned along with his executive officers. There is talk of disciplinary action against the protesters.
Recently, 12 workers of Samsung SDI found out that they were under secret surveillance with specially "prepared" Samsung cellphones and GPS devices. The police have closed the case, after being "unable to establish" who was behind the illegal surveillance.
Furthermore, before the incident with the cellphones, a Korean court sentenced Kim Seong-hwan, President of Samsung General Trade Union, to imprisonment for 3 years and 10 months for committing libel against Samsung SDI. If you are employed by Samsung, and a trade union activist, you have to watch your tongue.
More about Samsung chairman protests here.
posted by Pelle at Tuesday, May 10, 2005
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