Everland Union-Busting: Vice President Kang Kyung-hoon Sentenced to 1 Year 4 Months in Second Trial

Kang Kyung-hoon, Vice President of Samsung Electronics [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] Kang Kyung-hoon, Vice President of Samsung Electronics, who was prosecuted for the Samsung Everland union dissolution case, was sentenced to prison again in the appellate court. The appellate court, like the first trial, judged that the Everland union dissolution case was an 'organized and continuous crime' carried out at the group level.

The Seoul High Court Criminal Division 10 (Presiding Judge Won Ik-seon) sentenced Vice President Kang to 1 year and 4 months in prison on the morning of the 26th for charges including obstruction of business, the same as in the first trial. The court stated, "The defendant mobilized personnel from the Future Strategy Office and Everland to neutralize the Samsung union, meticulously planned and executed the scheme, causing significant damage to the union." It added, "Even in cases where Vice President Kang did not directly carry out or specifically receive reports on the crimes, it can be recognized as a conspiracy act since he initially formulated the labor-management strategy."

The court also upheld the original judgment against former and current Everland executives and employees who were jointly prosecuted. Former Everland Executive Director Lee was sentenced to 10 months in prison, and about 10 former and current Everland employees received prison sentences of 6 to 10 months with 2 years of probation and fines.

Vice President Kang and others were prosecuted for obstructing Everland union activities, including establishing a so-called 'company union,' while working at Samsung Group's Future Strategy Office from June 2011 to March 2018. Kang was also prosecuted for formulating and executing a strategy to dissolve the Samsung Electronics union separately from the Everland union and was sentenced to prison in both the first and second trials, currently awaiting the Supreme Court's decision.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.