Prosecutors search Samsung Electronics over suspected unfair biz practice
Samsung Group's corporate flag flies in front of its headquarters building in Seoul / Yonhap
Prosecutors searched offices of Samsung Electronics and a Samsung food service subsidiary Monday over suspicions of unfair business practices involving in-house cafeteria services, according to officials.
Investigators from the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office searched the headquarters of Samsung Electronics in Suwon and Samsung Welstory in Bundang, both south of Seoul, for materials related to business deals for meal services for employees.
Monday's searches came after the country's antitrust regulator slapped a combined fine of 234.9 billion won ($191.6 million) on five key Samsung affiliates, including Samsung Electronics and Samsung Display, in June last year for giving unfair business favors to Welstory by illegitimately channeling their in-house cafeteria service deals to the company.
The state agency has since filed complaints with the prosecution against Samsung Electronics and its former executive Choi Gee-sung requesting a formal investigation. (Yonhap)