By Kim Yoo-chul
The prosecution is considering temporarily lifting an overseas travel ban on LG Electronics President Jo Seong-jin, who is suspected of having vandalized Samsung washing machines at shops and a trade fair in Berlin, Germany, in August.
Jo, who showed up for questioning at the Central District Prosecutors’ Office in Seoul, Tuesday morning, is scheduled to take part in a major electronics show in the U.S. next week.
"We are seriously considering a temporary lift on the travel ban on the LG Electronics executive because he appeared at the office,” an official said.
“If additional questioning is needed, then we will call on him after his participation in a technology fair in the United States, next week.”
The company would not comment. "It's too early to talk about it," a spokesman said.
Jo planned to hold a press conference about the company’s business plans in Las Vegas on the sidelines of the 2015 International Consumer Electronics Show.
"If Jo misses the show, it would deal a blow to LG's business in North America, one of the most crucial markets for the company," said the prosecution official.
The company’s home appliance segment posts about 20 trillion won in annual sales, accounting for more than 30 percent of total sales.
Last week, prosecutors raided LG Electronics headquarters in Seoul and Jo’s office in Changwon, seizing data and documents.
During the IFA trade fair in Berlin, Jo allegedly vandalized Samsung washing machines at an electronics store.
According to Samsung, Jo damaged the door hinges. Samsung later filed a complaint with the prosecution.
LG denied Samsung’s claims and countersued for defamation and tampering with evidence. LG said the machine was already damaged when Jo touched it, and that a Samsung employee did it on purpose.