Lee Hae-rin is a City Desk reporter at The Korea Times, covering social issues, tourism and taekwondo. She is passionate about speaking up for the rights of minorities, including women, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities and animals as well as discovering the latest makgeolli trend in town. Feel free to reach her at lhr@koreatimes.co.kr.
Adidas Korea CEO faces criticism for speaking English at Assembly despite Korean fluency
Adidas Korea CEO Peter Kwak attends a parliamentary audit at the National Assembly in Seoul, Oct. 16, 2023. Newsis
By Lee Hae-rin
Lawmakers criticized Adidas CEO Peter Kwak for answering their questions in English with an interpreter during a recent National Assembly audit despite his fluency in Korean.
Both ruling and opposition party lawmakers accused Kwak of being "insincere," who answered their questions in Korean last year.
Kwak appeared as a witness for the Assembly's audit of the Fair Trade Commission regarding his company's alleged abuse of power against franchisees.
The company sparked controversy when it reorganized its business structure in January 2022.
Its former franchisees allege Adidas Korea unilaterally terminated their contracts with the company and deprived the franchisees of online sales rights even before the termination.
During the audit at the National Assembly on Monday, Kwak spoke in English and delivered his answers through an interpreter, which ignited anger from lawmakers.
Rep. Shin Jang-sik of the minor Rebuilding Korea Party pointed out Kwak spoke in Korean during last year's Assembly audit, when he was called in for the same issue.
Rep. Kang Min-kuk of the ruling People Power Party said, "I saw Kwak take notes when Rep. Shin asked a question, showing he can understand enough (Korean)." He said this shows Kwak was attempting to make the audit drag on by taking more time for interpretation.
"I think this part needs a special investigation for contempt of the Assembly or perjury at the Assembly."
In response, Kwak, a Korean Canadian, said in English that he couldn't answer properly last year due to the language barrier.
However, Kim Jung-joong, the head of a coalition of Adidas store owners who was also present at the audit, said, "Kwak delivered us (franchise owners) a presentation in Korean when he announced his strategy," adding that he had never seen Kwak speak in English before.
In July, Kwak also communicated fluently in Korean without an interpreter during an event where Adidas invited footballer Son Heung-min.
Kwak's attitude at the assembly audit also triggered criticism.
Rep. Yoo Yeong-ha from the PPP pointed out that Kwak had his hands in his pockets throughout the whole session, adding, "I don't know how different our culture is from Canada, but there is probably no one in Canada's Parliament who has his hands in his pockets like that."