Shareholder group files criminal complaints over Samsung, SK hynix bonus deals

A shareholder advocacy group representing individual investors on Wednesday filed criminal complaints against the chief executives of Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, claiming profit-linked bonus agreements reached with labor unions were unlawful. The group, whose name translates roughly as the "Republic of Korea Shareholder Activism Headquarters," filed police complaints accusing SK hynix CEO Kwak Noh-jung, Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Jun Young-hyun and CEO Roh Tae-moon of breaching their fiduciary duties to shareholders. It also filed a complaint against Labor Minister Kim Young-hoon with the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials, alleging he abused his authority by intervening in Samsung's wage negotiations in May.

Speaking at a press conference, Min Kyung-kwon, head of the group, argued that performance bonuses tied to corporate earnings should be treated as profit distributions, and thus should not be subject to collective bargaining. "Any profit-sharing arrangement should require shareholder approval, rather than being negotiated through collective barga