That's what the latest scandal claims at any rate

Dec 23, 2014 12:35 GMT  ·  By

Just before the IFA 2014 electronics show in Berlin, Germany, which took place back in early September, LG Executive Jo Seong-jin allegedly kicked or otherwise vandalized four Samsung washing machines in a Berlin mall.

It sounds like one of those absurd stories or movies where adults act no different from spoiled children. So far, we haven't heard of anything like kids having to save the world from an impending war or anything, but the nuances are there.

We can't comment on the rumors ourselves. Not until the relevant authorities rule on the matter. However, we can supply you with the facts as they are right now.

LG's executive has been grounded

We don't mean that he has been confined to his room, as the term is usually taken to mean in a household. Rather, he has been subjected to a travel ban by South Korean prosecutors.

This came about after Samsung filed a lawsuit for property damages and defamation against Jo and four other LG Electronics executives.

The claim was that the executive sabotaged the door hinges of one of its washing machines at an electronics store in Berlin, as well as vandalizing three others.

Samsung provided CCTV footage allegedly showing Jo "willfully" damaging the machine, plus the damaged appliance in question.

Initially, LG executives being questioned by German authorities offered to buy the damaged machines, as a way to avoid being pressed charges.

This could mean that the footage really did show Jo damaging the products. On the other hand, it could also mean that LG simply didn't want the scandal to erupt while IFA 2014 was just starting, as it would have spelled a PR disaster.

Samsung obviously didn't want to let things lie, hence the lawsuit. It will take months, maybe years, for the lawsuit to end or be settled out of court. As it is, the head of LG's Home Appliance and Air Solution division can't leave South Korea.

The implications

LG's executive won't be able to attend the Consumer Electronics Show in January 2015 (CES 2015). The company as a whole has filed for a temporary lift of the travel ban, to permit him to go to Las Vegas, but no progress has been made on that front just yet.

Normally, a scandal like this is enough to murder anyone's career, but since firing the executive would be tantamount to an admission of guilt, it hasn't happened and isn't likely to happen at least for a few months.

Samsung sues LG exec for vandalism (4 Images)

LG exec allegedly vandalizing Samsung washing machines
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