The rivalry between LG and Samsung has escalated into an all-out war, with prosecutors storming LG's headquarters in South Korea, confiscating materials believed to be proof that LG workers intentionally damaged Samsung's washing machines.
The feud between the companies first began when Samsung filed a lawsuit saying that LG employees had been seen deliberately destroying Samsung washing machines at two stores ahead of the IFA show in Berlin in September.
Prosecutors raided the offices of Jo Seong-jin, the company's home appliance head, as well as other executives and employees, securing documents and hard disks pertaining to the IFA trade show.
"We regret today's raid by prosecutors," said the company in a statement. "Our company -- a global company -- was raided as a result of a rival's unilateral and excessive claims, and we are concerned that this would seriously undermine our corporate activities and external credibility,"
Jo previously did not comply with prosecutors summons, leading to a travel ban. The executive has said, however, that he will comply after the Consumers Electronics Show in January, provided the travel ban is lifted. It remains to be seen if the travel ban does end up being lifted.
The incident reportedly included Jo and other employees entering electronics stores and kicking and breaking the doors of several Samsung washing machines. It was also reportedly captured on CCTV footage and totaled $2,700 in damages. LG has also reportedly paid for the four machines that were damaged.
"Our executives, which included a company president, indeed paid this shop a visit to check out a number of products," said the company in a statement in September. "Unlike washing machines from other companies, a certain company's washing-machine model was particularly weak on the hinges."
Samsung, while not naming LG specifically, has also released statements saying that LG has caused irreversible damage to Samsung's image. Samsung has sued LG, and LG has counter-sued Samsung.
"Despite our best efforts to avoid further confrontation and escalation of the situation, the company in question has tarnished not only Samsung's brand image but also the reputation of Samsung employees by making slanderous claims that our washing machines were defective," said a spokesperson for Samsung in a statement.
Samsung and LG have butted heads in the past through rigorous PR disputes regarding the supremacy of their products. While Samsung is the industry leader in mobile devices and televisions, LG is a leader in home appliances such as refrigerators and washing machines.
