FILE PHOTO: South Korean Finance Minister Kim Dong-yeon speaks during his inaugural ceremony in Sejong government complex in Sejong, South Korea, June 15, 2017. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji

SEOUL (Reuters) - Samsung Securities Co Ltd 016360.KS employees who sold stocks that were mistakenly given to them last week could face tough penalties, South Korea's finance minister said on Monday.

“We really have to look into this seriously as it is not understandable nor tolerable at all that these people sold off shares that were mistakenly given,” Finance Minister Kim Dong-yeon reporters.

“If there were problems regarding the workers’ moral hazard, I feel they should be firmly punished.”