이재용 대국민 사과…“자녀에게 경영권 물려주지 않을 생각…‘무노조 경영’ 없도록”
Samsung Group heir Lee Jae-yong who's embroiled in a bribery scandal has made a rare apology over controversial succession plans.
He vowed not to pass the management rights he inherited from his father to his children at the family-controlled conglomerate.
Kim Jae-hee has this report.
The vice chairman of Samsung Electronics, Lee Jae-yong, bowed in apology on Wednesday,... in a show of remorse for the controversy caused by his succession to the company's management,... and for Samsung's "no labor union" policy.
Lee's apology followed a request from Samsung's independent compliance monitoring committee.
"We have failed to meet the public's expectations, and have brought disappointment to them. It's because we have not strictly complied with laws and ethics. All of these came from our inadequacy. This is my fault. I apologize."
Lee's succession of management rights from his father Lee Kun-hee has long drawn much controversy.
Samsung's succession process had involved an alleged bribery case and a controversial merger of two of its affiliates. Court cases regarding both of these issues are still ongoing.
Lee promised there would be no more controversy over the succession of management again,... and said he will not hand over management control to his children.
He also pledged to change Samsung's decades-long practice of suppressing labor unions.
He said the company will guarantee workers' rights and nurture a healthy labor union culture.
Samsung's independent compliance monitoring committee on March 11th had requested that Lee issue the apology within one month, but that deadline was extended to May 11th upon Samsung's request.
This is the first time in five years that Lee has given a public apology.
He previously made a public apology in June 2015, for mishandlings at the Samsung Medical Center during the MERS outbreak.
Kim Jae-hee, Arirang News.
