Samsung: LG Execs 'Destroyed' Our Machines

Samsung has demanded an investigation after it accused senior executives at LG Electronics (KSE: 066570.KS - news) of deliberately "destroying" high-end washing machines at stores in Germany.

The company claims its rival vandalised machines in Berlin, with one of the alleged incidents taking place before the massive IFA consumer electronics show earlier this month.

"The people in question have been implicated in deliberately destroying Samsung washing machines displayed at retail stores in Berlin, Germany," said a statement from the company.

Samsung has asked the prosecutor's office in Seoul to investigate. Both companies are based in South Korea.

"It is very unfortunate that Samsung had to request that a high-ranking executive be investigated by the nation's legal authorities but ... we had to get to the bottom of this incident," said the company.

LG (KSE: 003550.KS - news) admitted damage was caused when employees visited a Berlin store, but said it happened accidentally as part of routine market research.

LG paid for the damage as part of negotiations with police and has since claimed the quality of the machines' hinges was "weak" - something Samsung strongly denies.

Jo Seong-jin, head of the LG's home appliances division, was one of the people named in Samsung's investigation request, said an LG spokeswoman.

"If our company had an intention to destroy products of a certain company to tarnish the image of the product, it would be commonsensical to not have our executives to directly carry out such acts," said LG.

"We hope that this is not an attempt to damage our reputation."

Samsung and LG are fierce rivals and also compete in the phone, television and home appliance sectors.

They have had previous disputes over fridge capacity and South Korean air conditioner market share.