Samsung Electronics(005930) The largest union, the Samsung Group supra-enterprise labor union Samsung Electronics branch (supra-enterprise union), Chairperson Choi Seung-ho filed a complaint for defamation and insult against users who disparaged Choi and the union leadership in an anonymous chat room. About 15 people are reportedly under investigation in connection with the allegations.
According to the industry on the 11th, Chairperson Choi said in a union notice on the afternoon of the 10th, "After the 2026 wage agreement was concluded, there were instances of defamation and insults against the leadership, including the chairperson, through an anonymous chat room by the Device eXperience (DX) institutional sector and other unions," adding, "We did not respond for about two months, but judged that it would spread if left as is, so we filed a complaint."
The anonymous chat room at issue was reportedly shut down after news of the complaint became known. Chairperson Choi claimed, "The chat room operator, upon recognizing this, voluntarily closed it."
Before the shutdown, posts appeared in the chat room saying, "Anyone sued should capture the entire context before and after their own posts," and "Those sued should never leave this room if it gets blown up."
A separate union chat room also posted guidance for legal responses for union members accused of defamation or insult. The notice explained how to file an information disclosure request and prepare separate supporting documents, and said a dedicated attorney would be connected if needed.
Regarding the complaint, Chairperson Choi said, "About 15 people are currently under investigation," and claimed, "The Companion Labor Union is providing union dues support for those individuals." The Samsung Electronics Labor Union Companion (Companion Union) is centered on the DX institutional sector, which handles smartphones and home appliances.
Choi also said Choi had been informed through union members holding dual memberships that false information and insults about Choi and the leadership were continuing in the Companion Union's chat room, and announced plans for additional legal action.
Chairperson Choi said, "After discussions within the leadership, we decided to take additional response measures," adding, "We will post notices on parts that can be shared depending on the progress of the case."
The conflict is also intertwined with the recent controversy over the union leadership's purchase of goods. Chairperson Choi faced criticism from some union members after it became known that items for use at rallies were purchased from a company run by Choi's father-in-law.
Chairperson Choi acknowledged signing a contract with the father-in-law's company but explained that the vendor was selected after comparing price and delivery schedule, and that there was no personal financial gain in the process.