“This Restaurant Isn’t Bugged, Is it?”

Security is the Key –

Since Samsung and LG’s main business is electronics, they are tight on security. Samsung has put its subsidiary, the security firm S1, in charge of the security of Samsung headquarters and its Giheung semiconductor research facilities. In the offices of high-ranking executives and meeting rooms, special film is applied to the windows, which block electric waves.

An official at S1 explained, “We have applied this film, imported from Germany, in every important location in the building. This is to prevent bugging with electric waves, which can detect voices through vibration.” The building is checked for bugging devices every two to three months.

LG hires a security firm to sweep for listening devices twice a year in the LG Twin Tower headquarters. LG Electronics, which has around ten special security agents around the clock, always uses bug-tracking devices to sweep for bugs before any important meeting or event. All research facilities at LG Electronics are equipped with a retina scan at the entrance.

VIP Rooms Require Extra Attention-

SK Corporation also hires a professional security firm to have their headquarters checked for bugs every two months. They concentrate mainly on the chairman’s office and the CEO offices of each subsidiary company.

Hyundai Motors has had anti-bugging devices installed in executives’ offices and important meeting rooms even before the bugging scandal.

Doosan Group has adopted a new security system since May. One must show their passes three times, to go through the lobby, the halls, then the office.

Since the scandal, all VIP rooms are treated with careful security checks. Recently, during an important meeting, classical music was played to prevent eavesdropping. However, the executives complained that they “couldn’t concentrate,” so that method was immediately discarded.

Kumho Asiana had security firms bid for the work. Having selected a firm, they have had their offices checked regularly

GS Caltex also has a security firm scan the executives’ offices for bugs two or three times a month. The company’s Emergency Planning Team searches the offices three or four times a month with bug detectors.

Security Firms Gain Revenue-

Security firms are enjoying a time of high growth since the “X-file” scandal.

A Geumsung Security official said, “We have had many calls from companies since the scandal, and our revenues are up 20-30 percent.”

There are differences between companies, but on average, security firms charge 6,000 won to 10,000 won per pyeong (3.3m2).

For companies, information and security is directly related to money. This scandal has brought the importance of security to light for many companies.

Hite and GS Holdings officials said, “We have not paid attention to wiretaps before, but now we plan to conduct regular sweeps and to install anti-bugging devices in executives’ offices.”