Eyewitnesses claim high-level Hungarian government ties shielded irregular South Korean battery plant bosses

It beggars belief otherwise that executives at the Samsung battery plant in Göd knew of impending inspections in advance and were able to prepare accordingly. According to these witnesses, such elevated connections enabled a cover-up of serial regulatory breaches at the plant, which daily endangered the physical safety of numerous workers under management’s watch.

Toxic, carcinogenic materials at the Samsung battery plant in Göd

Péter Magyar, leader of the Tisza Party, released two videos on Thursday and Friday featuring former employees of the Göd Samsung facility, who detailed the site’s inner workings. Drawing on Telex’s investigative reporting—which we ourselves covered—the factory was poorly designed from the outset, its air filtration system woefully inadequate for trapping the toxic, carcinogenic fumes released during battery production. Moreover, the company’s leadership consciously withheld investment in upgrades, deeming low-level fines a cheaper alternative. Telex hinted even then at the improbability of such conduct without high-level governmental backing.

Mr Magyar’s interviewees lend credence to this. A lorry driver tasked with transporting hazardous materials between 2019 and 2022 claimed the battery plant’s bosses were tipped off about checks, prompting them to shift vast quantities of dangerous substances to unsuitable storage warehouses on other sites ahead of time. Foreknowledge of this sort implies an inside informant.

Somebody protected them

Another worker, speaking anonymously, alleged that management offered no protection whatsoever against the hazards, a fact known to staff on the ground. Nor did they spare the environment: Attila, as he is known, believes perilous substances may have leaked from the premises.