20 injured in PR event for LG smartphone

LG Electronics canceled outdoor promotional events for its latest smartphone G2 after some 20 people suffered injuries in a messy event in Seoul, Friday.

"We canceled events offering free G2 smartphones that had been scheduled in major cities nationwide, including Busan, due to safety concerns," the firm said in a statement.

The announcement came after some 20 people were injured in an event in a public park in northern Seoul.

Under the theme of "G IN THE CLOUD," LG planned on releasing balloons into the air with 100 free G2 coupons attached.

LG said it would give the G2 phone to people who were in possession of the coupons. Retail price for the smartphone is 950,000 won.

The accident occurred when people tried to steal the coupons by popping the balloons with BB guns.

"Some were using BB guns to shoot the balloons. As far as I know, there were only some 20 security guards. LG should have placed more security personnel as the event was already promoted via social networks such as Facebook, Twitter and leading local portals. Some of the injured were hospitalized," a blogger wrote.

LG said it had difficulty controlling the crowd. LG plans to compensate the people who were injured.

"We will provide them with proper medical treatment as we are responsible for the event," said the company.

The smartphone was unveiled last week in New York to take on its biggest cross-town rival Samsung Electronics, Apple and other phone manufacturers that use Google Android software.

LG said it plans on spending substantially for promotional campaigns for the phone as it is seeing a gradual improvement in its smartphone business.

The G2 will be available globally with more than 130 carriers within the next couple of months.

The four biggest carriers in the United States, Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile, all will carry the device.