The Samsung towers in Gangnam district. Seoul, South Korea. December 2013.
A Samsung CCTV. Seoul, South Korea. December 2013.
Choi Jong-bum's mausoleum. Choi Jong-bum was a Samsung Service employee repairing home appliances. He committed suicide on the 31st of October, 2013. Before he put an end to his life he sent a public message on the popular app Kakao Talk : “It’s been so hard for me to work as a Samsung Service Center employee. I’ve been starving to death and it’s been tough to watch everyone struggle so hard... I can’t do what Chun Tae-il did (1970s labor activist). But I’ve made my decision and I hope it can be of use.” Cheonan, South Korea. December 2013.
Choi Jung-bum's funeral. Cheonan, South Korea. December 2013.
Samsung security officers in front of the room where are held the negotiations between the company and the SHARPS organisation (Supporters for the Health And Rights of People in the Semiconductor industry). It is the first time in its history that Samsung accepts to discuss issues related to the semi-conductor industry. Victims and families want Samsung leaders to recognise their responsibilities in the illness of certain workers. Samsung has always denied the link between illness and working environment. The negotiations started in May 2014. A new round is held every two weeks. Each round can last for 6-7 hours. Seoul, South Korea. July 2014.
Every week-end the 5th floor of the Samsung Electronics tower is used for the organisation of employees' wedding ceremonies. Ceremonies do not last more than 45 minutes and are perfectly scripted. After the splendour comes the time of a more intimate ceremony following the Korean traditions. This traditional ceremony is done in a tiny room with only the close family. Seoul, South Korea. July 2014.
Samsung Electronics employees. Seoul, South Korea. December 2013.
Han Hye-kyoung and her mother Kim Si-nyo at their home. After spending several years mounting LCD screens in a semi-conductor plant, Han Hye-kyoung was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2005. After surgery, her ability to speak, walk, and see, decreased significantly. She now follows a daily treatment in hospital and rarely stay at home. Since then her mother has always been on her side and now never leaves her. SHARPS reports in total 160 victims – among them 60 deaths – linked to Samsung. Chuncheon, South Korea, July 2014.
Jo Jang-hee in his lawyer's office. M. Jo used to work as a cook in Everland, the Samsung amusement park. His employer blackmailed, threatened and finally fired him because M. Jo created a trade union in the Park. Samsung has been suing him continuously for the past three years. Seoul, South Korea. August 2014.
At the foot of the Samsung towers, union workers from the KMWU (Korean Metal Workers Union) protest to make Samsung apologize after Choi Jung-bum, a former employee, committed suicide. Choi Jung-bum wanted to raise awareness about his condition and contribute improving other workers' lives. Seoul, South Korea. December 2013.
Kidzania is an edutainment park where children can experience the working life. Baskin Robbins, Dunkin Donuts, Korean Air... Many brands propose “fun” activities to make small visitors discover various jobs. Samsung is very active by proposing app creation and Air-Condition reparation activities. Seoul, South Korea. August 2014.
A Samsung housing complex. Seoul, South Korea. July 2014.
The Everland Park. Everland is a key company for the financial structure of Samsung. Thanks to the circular shareholdings, people who owns shares in Everland automatically owns shares in the whole Samsung Group. All in all, Everland represents a very convenient shell company for the Lee family, owner of the empire. Yongin, South Korea. December 2013.
Students wearing traditional outfits at the summer graduation ceremony in Sungkyunkwan university. Sungkyunkwan is the oldest Korean university. It has been bought by Samsung in 1997. Many of the students obtain grants delivered by Samsung. Once graduated, their knowledge will benefit to the company. Seoul, South Korea. August 2014.
At the foot of the Samsung towers, a shamanic ceremony is held in the memory of Hwang Min-woong, who died in 2005 from a leukaemia. He was an engineer in a Samsung semi-conductor plant. Since then she fights for the rights of the sick workers alongside a group of activists gathered in the SHARPS organization (Supporters for the Health And Rights of People in the Semiconductor industry). SHARPS reports in total 160 victims – among them 60 deaths – linked to Samsung. Seoul, July 2014.
The main entrance of Digital City, one of the most important R&D center of Samsung Electronics. Samsung Electronics is the flagship company of the Samsung Group. Suwon, South Korea. July 2014.
The Incheon bridge, built by the Samsung C&T (Construction & Trading) company. Incheon, South Korea. August 2014.
Project Description
After the Korean war (1950-53), South Korea was one of the poorest countries in the world. Yet, less than thirty years later, it became the world’s 15th largest economy. This success can be partly explained by chaebols – huge conglomerates supported by dictator Park Chung-Hee between 1962 and 1979.
Established in 1938 by M. Lee Byung-Chul in the city of Daegu, Samsung (which means “Three Stars”) is the largest of those chaebols, and the largest group in South Korea. It represents, directly or indirectly, one-fifth of the GDP. With its growth from a small import-export shop to the flagship of the nation, Samsung embodies Korean economic success.
Through its 79 subsidiaries, Samsung can be seen everywhere – from every layer of the society to every aspect of daily life. You can be born in a Samsung Hospital, study in a Samsung university and live inside a Samsung apartment on a Samsung block. You can take the subway built by Samsung and walk in the street guarded by Samsung surveillance cameras. If you want to escape from routine you can even enjoy the biggest amusement park in Korea, Everland, a key company for Samsung’s financial structure. If that is not enough, you can choose a Samsung life insurance and wear Samsung clothes. From the cradle to the grave.
This extreme form of capitalism, which brings wealth to an entire society but also creates a dangerous dependency towards a single entity, is a fascinating paradox. This project attempts to reveal it through photographs.
This work also reveals the collateral damage behind the power and wealth. For 75 years, the Samsung Group has forbidden trade unions in all of its subsidiaries and denied the relationship between leukemia and the semi-conductor working environment. I wanted to show those women and men who fight against the giant for their rights to build a trade union and have work-related illnesses recognised.
Biography
After Film Editing studies, Romain Champalaune decided to focus on photography. He graduated from the French National School of Photography Louis-Lumière in 2012. After graduation he focused on the Iranian society for two years. He depicted the daily life of a Mollah, photographed the plastic surgery boom and the absurd censorship of women’s bodies in Hollywood movies. Today he explores the intricate relations between states and big corporations. The first chapter of this work is about the Samsung Empire in South Korea.
His photographs are published in national and international publications (Le Monde, La Croix, Medipart, Grazia, Courrier Japon and more). His work has been exhibited in festivals such as Prix Bayeux-Calvados, Festival des Nuits Photographiques and Fetart School Factory.
[…] to present this year’s winners: Hosam Katan (Grand Prize), Yasmin Balai (2nd Place), and Romain Champalaune (3rd Place). The IAFOR Documentary Photography Award is a new international photography award […]
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[…] Galaxy Romain Champalaune […]
[…] to present this year’s winners: Hosam Katan (Grand Prize), Yasmin Balai (2nd Place), and Romain Champalaune (3rd Place). The IAFOR Documentary Photography Award is a new international photography award […]
[…] Image by Romain Champalaune | 2015 Third Place Winner […]
[…] Image by Romain Champalaune | 2015 Third Place Winner […]
[…] Image by Romain Champalaune | 2015 Third Place Winner […]
[…] Image by Romain Champalaune | 2015 Third Place Winner […]
[…] Image by Romain Champalaune | 2015 Third Place Winner […]
[…] Image by Romain Champalaune | 2015 Third Place Winner […]
[…] Image by Romain Champalaune | 2015 Third Place Winner […]
[…] Galaxy Romain Champalaune […]