MOSCOW, September 15 (RIA Novosti) – Samsung has demanded an investigation be held surrounding the alleged vandalism by LG electronics of its high-end washing machines in Berlin, Sky News reported on Monday.
"The people in question have been implicated in deliberately destroying Samsung washing machines displayed at retail stores in Berlin, Germany," said a statement from Samsung.
Samsung has called upon the prosecutor’s office in Seoul to look into the details of the incident, however felt the request was unfortunate, according to Sky News.
Though LG has admitted to the damages and made appropriate payments as part of negotiations with police, the company claims any vandalism to Samsung’s equipment during its employees’ routine market research was unintentional.
"If our company had an intention to destroy products of a certain company to tarnish the image of the product, it would be commonsensical to not have our executives to directly carry out such acts," LG said.
"We hope that this is not an attempt to damage our reputation," the company added.
Samsung and LG are long-time rivals competing in phone, television and home appliance sector. Both based in South Korea, the companies have had conflicts in the past over fridge capacity and South Korean air conditioner market share.
