“The company reviewed everything and legally sponsored the committee, just the same as other general sponsorship agreements it has signed,” the South Korean tech giant said through a release. (Image: Yonhap)
SEOUL, April 10 (Korea Bizwire) – Samsung Electronics Co. on Tuesday denied allegations that it lobbied major officials from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to help South Korea host the 2018 Winter Games in PyeongChang.
“The company reviewed everything and legally sponsored the committee, just the same as other general sponsorship agreements it has signed,” the South Korean tech giant said through a release.
The remark came as a local broadcaster claimed that Samsung engaged in illegal lobbyign activities to host the PyeongChang Winter Olympics, which was hosted by South Korea in February.
The broadcaster claimed that Samsung’s de facto head, Lee Kun-hee, made various moves, including illegal lobbying, to host the competition in return for receiving a special presidential pardon in 2009 despite being charged with embezzlement.
The company said Lee made various efforts to host the event in 2003 and 2007 as well and claimed that it is inappropriate to frame Lee’s efforts as behind-the-scene collusion between businesses and the government.
Lee has been hospitalized since 2014 after suffering a heart attack.
(Yonhap)
