Former President of LG France Rails against LG
Former President of LG France Rails against LG
  • By Jung Yeon-jin (info@koreaittimes.com)
  • 승인 2015.08.11 17:09
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##1.

On my first day at LG Electronics, I accidently overheard the then president, whose office was next to mine, yelling and hurling a pile of documents at an employee. I’ve seen verbal arguments and squabbles so many times while working for various multinational companies, but had never seen a president throwing a pile of documents at the head of an employee until then.

##2.
The head of the TV business division of LG's headquarters in S. Korea made an unexpected visit to LG Electronics France. All the employees of LG France were mobilized to remove non-LG branded products from the shelves and deck the store out only with LG products. As soon as the head left, LG France had to spend enormous amounts undoing all the changes made to the store.

##3.
In December 2006, I became the first foreigner to be promoted to director. So I had to attend a training workshop for new directors. On the last day of the workshop, I had to drink for 4 hours, sitting outside in the bone-chilling cold. The drinking secession led to pledges of allegiance to LG. It reminded me of a pagan ritual.

##4.
At a hospital. One of my colleagues collapsed. Right after surgery, the colleague asked a surgeon, “When can I go back to work” It was a sad self-portrait of Koreans who try to find their true identity in the workplace and take it for granted to sacrifice themselves for the organization they belong to.

##5.
The last scene: dismissal. While I briefly left my office, my belongings were moved to another room. Before long, my internet connection was cut off. One of my subordinates, not my boss, handed me my pink slip. Leaving LG France, I wasn’t given any opportunity to say good-bye to my colleagues. The new management didn’t even give me a proper send-off. I had to leave the company like an untouchable.


Eric Surdej, who served as President of LG Electronics France, had first-hand experience with S. Korea’s corporate culture that encourages working overtime and even on weekends. He also worked for varied global companies, including Phillips, Sony and Toshiba. He has recently published his book titled “Koreans Are Crazy,” an exposé of S. Korea’s corporate culture based on his 10-year stint (2003-2012) in LG Electronics.

In the book, he denounces S. Korea’s humanity-deprived corporate culture that unduly worships meritocracy and efficiency. The underlying problem, according to Eric Surdej, is Korean companies’ rigid hierarchical organizational structure. He argues that such a hierarchical structure pervades the entire nation, from families and schools to society and the government.

 


 


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