Samsung Biologics faces leak controversy over confidential files

May 13, 2026, 11:25 am

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A screenshot of the electronic tax invoice inquiry page contained in the recently circulated file titled “Media Promotion Expenses_Samsung Biologics.”

Samsung Biologics is facing controversy after confidential internal documents were leaked externally, with the name of union chief Park Jae-sung appearing in the file access records.

The company said it confirmed Park’s name in the viewing history of the leaked file, while the union leader denied distributing the documents to reporters. Samsung Biologics is investigating how the material was leaked and is considering legal action, raising concerns that labor-management tensions could intensify further.

According to industry sources on Wednesday, an internal electronic tax invoice file from Samsung Biologics was recently leaked outside the company. The documents reportedly included records of advertising and sponsorship expenses paid to media outlets over the past three years. Industry officials said the material was considered highly sensitive even within the company’s public relations division.

The controversy grew after Park’s name appeared in the file access history. Some online media outlets subsequently reported on the issue, drawing further attention to the source of the leak.

Samsung Biologics said that after removing blanked-out sections from the PDF file, the viewer information displayed “Park Jae-sung (Samsung Biologics/QES Group).”

“Given the sensitivity of the information, we are taking the matter seriously and are verifying how the leak occurred,” the company said, adding that it may pursue legal measures if necessary.

However, it remains unclear who actually leaked the documents externally, as only the file access history has been confirmed so far.

In a phone interview with the newspaper, Park denied distributing the material to journalists.

The controversy is expected to deepen already escalating tensions between management and the union at Samsung Biologics. The labor dispute has expanded beyond wage negotiations, with legal conflicts between the two sides surfacing multiple times in recent weeks.

On May 8, the company reportedly filed criminal complaints against six union-related individuals, including Park, three union executives, and three unionized field managers. Earlier, on May 4, Samsung Biologics also filed a criminal complaint against a union member accused of interfering with operations by entering a production site without authorization despite not being part of the quality management team.

The union staged a general strike from May 1 to 5 and is currently continuing what it describes as a “work-to-rule” campaign by refusing overtime and holiday work. One-on-one labor-management talks scheduled for May 6 reportedly collapsed, while a trilateral meeting involving labor, management, and government representatives on May 8 also failed to produce an agreement.

Industry observers say the possibility of a second strike cannot be ruled out.

Market concerns are also growing that prolonged labor disputes could affect future orders and production schedules.

Jung Yoo-kyung, an analyst at Shinyoung Securities, said recent project timelines appear to be lengthening compared with the past, when commercial materials were sometimes supplied within a year at client request.

“In the current environment, where reshoring policies and saturation in the antibody drug market are making it difficult to expect the same level of demand as before, labor issues could also become a factor slowing new orders,” she said.

#Samsung Biologics #labor union #confidential documents #information leak