"Last Year You Spoke Korean"... Adidas CEO Suddenly Puts Hands in Pockets and Speaks English

Representative Peter Kwak (Kwak Geun-yeop) Appeared as a Witness at the National Audit
"Didn't You Use Korean Last Year?" Criticism
"Hands in Pockets, Fidgeting... Unpleasant"

Peter Kwak (Kwak Geun-yeop), CEO of Adidas Korea, who appeared as a witness at the National Assembly's Political Affairs Committee audit, became embroiled in controversy due to his inappropriate attitude.

Peter Kwak, CEO of Adidas Korea, is responding to a lawmaker's question at the National Assembly's Political Affairs Committee audit held on October 16 last year. At that time, CEO Kwak answered in Korean. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

On the 21st, Shin Jang-sik, a member of the Innovation Party for Justice, pointed out during the audit targeting the Fair Trade Commission and others, "After Adidas Korea announced the 'Future Partner' policy in 2022, it closed all but 19 of over 120 dealerships nationwide and had the headquarters sell directly," adding, "They refused contract renewals to more than 80 dealership owners." Adidas store owners have long complained that the headquarters unilaterally refused contract renewals, pushing them to the brink of bankruptcy.

Last year, regarding the same issue, CEO Peter Kwak appeared as a witness, and Kim Jeong-jung, chairman of the Adidas National Store Owners Association, appeared as a reference witness at the audit. However, unlike last year, CEO Kwak decided to ask and answer questions in English through an interpreter. Regarding this, Representative Shin criticized, "What is this about? Last year, you answered everything in Korean," and asked, "Can you not speak Korean this year?"

In response, CEO Kwak explained, "I was not able to answer well at last year's audit and could not properly express what I wanted to say," adding, "There is also a risk of perjury due to the Korean language, so to prevent such issues, I will speak through an interpreter this year." On the other hand, Chairman Kim Jeong-jung said, "The CEO spoke only in Korean at the first meeting in September 2021, and also spoke in Korean at the January 2022 strategy announcement where future partners were sought," adding, "There has never been a time when communication with us was not possible. This is the first time we have seen such behavior."

Moreover, CEO Kwak's attitude at the audit also came under scrutiny. Yoo Young-ha, a member of the People Power Party, said, "Witness Kwak had his hands in his pockets a moment ago. While cultural customs may differ, it is very unpleasant," adding, "There is no other witness who behaves so casually. I ask the chairman to strongly warn him." Kang Min-guk, a People Power Party member and the ruling party's secretary of the Political Affairs Committee, said, "There was a scene where witness Kwak was taking notes while Representative Shin was questioning. Communication is fully possible, so I have a strong suspicion that this is an attempt to nullify the audit," adding, "This cannot be overlooked. I think special investigations, including charges of insulting the National Assembly, are necessary. I ask the opposition party secretary to actively review this as well." In response, Kang Jun-hyun, a member of the Democratic Party and the opposition party secretary, said, "I have also wondered why an interpreter was necessarily used like this," adding, "As Representative Kang said, the ruling and opposition secretaries will actively review this matter."