Controversy grows over death of LG Display worker

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

Business

Sat, September 23, 2023 | 14:34

Companies

Controversy grows over death of LG Display worker

Posted : 2023-05-24 16:45

Updated : 2023-05-25 10:31

LG Twin Towers in Yeouido, Seoul / Yonhap

LG Display CEO Jeong Ho-young / Courtesy of LG Display

By Park Jae-hyuk

LG Display is embroiled in controversy after one of its employees, a man in his 40s, was found dead last Friday on the south bank of the Han River near Yeouido, where the company's headquarters are located, according to industry officials, Wednesday.

While the company's employees claim that overwork led the former employee to kill himself, the police said that they are open to all possibilities, including accidental death, because they have yet to discover a suicide note or recover any footage of the moment of his death. Seoul Mapo Police Station, which is investigating the case, said it will take time to figure out the details of the incident.

Regardless of the police investigation, LG Display decided to organize a committee consisting of nonexecutive directors, to find out the reason behind his death and discuss follow-up measures. CEO Jeong Ho-young of the display maker will not participate in the committee to guarantee objectivity in the committee's investigation.

Jeong also apologized to the deceased and the company's employees, emphasizing that he will not avoid taking responsibility.

"In retrospect, I have focused only on overcoming the current crisis in our business," he said in an email sent on Tuesday to the company's employees.

The CEO also reportedly mentioned that the deceased loved the company and that the bereaved family hopes the deceased can be remembered for a long time.

"The reason behind his death is unknown yet," an LG Display official said. "The company takes this matter seriously, so we are sincerely cooperating with the police investigation."

LG Display employees, however, urged Jeong to take responsibility, claiming that it has been usual for them to work all night and rewrite their respective reports many times due to incompetent management.

"The deceased killed himself after working until 3 a.m. on his wedding anniversary," an LG Display employee wrote on Blind, an anonymous chat app for verified employees.

The bereaved family is also said to have spoken with the police during their investigation, explaining that the deceased had complained about being overworked after his promotion to team leader.

pjh@koreatimes.co.kr