South Korean company issues apology, terminates staff member due to assault in Vietnam
In the heart of Hanoi's My Dinh area, an unfortunate incident occurred on the evening of July 11, 2025, as two South Korean women allegedly attacked two Vietnamese women in a photo booth. The incident, which involved both verbal abuse and physical violence, quickly gained public attention, sparking significant outrage in both Vietnam and South Korea.
The company at the centre of the controversy is Segyung Vina Co., Ltd, the Vietnamese subsidiary of South Korea’s Segyung HiTech Co. Ltd. Established in Bắc Ninh Province in December 2013, Segyung Vina Co., Ltd is one of the company's overseas production facilities, specialising in phone components, high-tech films, and industrial tapes.
In response to the incident, Segyung Vina Co., Ltd has taken decisive action. The company immediately dismissed the employee involved in the assault upon confirming her identity and the details of the incident. A formal apology was issued to the victims, the Vietnamese government, the Korean community in Vietnam, and all affected parties. Compensation has been offered, and the company is in direct contact with the victims.
In an effort to prevent similar incidents in the future, Segyung Vina Co., Ltd announced the introduction of a new code of conduct for all South Korean employees, both in Vietnam and at headquarters, when traveling abroad. Regular training sessions will also be conducted for expatriate and headquarters staff. An emergency meeting was held following the incident, and the company is cooperating closely with local police and the photo booth management to investigate and resolve the matter.
The legal investigation is ongoing in Vietnam, with local police leading the investigation and the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Vietnam cooperating fully. The South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs is also in communication with the Vietnamese government to prevent the incident from escalating into a diplomatic issue.
The incident has drawn sharp criticism from the Vietnamese public and significant media attention in both countries. Many South Korean netizens described the behaviour of their compatriots as a "national disgrace" and expressed shame over the incident. Both Vietnamese and South Korean media have extensively covered the story, reflecting broad public interest and concern over the conduct of expatriate workers.
Diplomatically, the South Korean government is engaged with Vietnamese authorities to manage the situation and prevent it from affecting bilateral relations. Multiple South Korean news outlets have reported on the case, including Yonhap News TV and KBS.
In summary, Segyung Vina Co., Ltd has taken comprehensive internal disciplinary and preventive actions in response to the incident, including firing the employee, issuing apologies, offering compensation, and introducing new training and codes of conduct to prevent future incidents. The case continues to receive significant attention in both countries, with authorities and the company working to address the fallout.
- The controversy surrounding the incident in Hanoi has been fueled by media coverage on social-media platforms, with many South Korean netizens criticizing the actions of their compatriots as a "national disgrace."
- Law enforcement agencies in Vietnam and South Korea are actively investigating the incident, with the Vietnamese government, South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Embassy of the Republic of Korea working together to ensure the matter does not escalate into a diplomatic issue.
- The general-news channels, such as Yonhap News TV and KBS, have been extensively covering the incident, highlighting the importance of the case in politics and entertainment.
- As the legal investigation progresses, businesses like Segyung Vina Co., Ltd must navigate the challenges posed by such incidents, emphasizing the need for their South Korean employees to understand and respect local cultures and laws.
- In response, corporations like Segyung Vina Co., Ltd have implemented new policies, such as introducing codes of conduct and conducting regular training sessions, to ensure their employees behave appropriately and avoid similar incidents in the future.
- With the previous incident affecting bilateral relations, it is essential for both the South Korean and Vietnamese governments to manage the situation diplomatically, working to prevent any negative impact on their shared business interests and cultural ties.
