Samsung semiconductor chief Jun Young-hyun summons executives ahead of general strike, says management must remain steady

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[The Financial News] Jun Young-hyun, vice chairman and head of Samsung Electronics' Device Solutions Division (DS), which leads the company's semiconductor business, has urged executives to keep management steady as concerns grow at home and abroad over the union's planned general strike. He also warned against internal confusion and complacency even amid the AI-driven memory boom, stressing once again that this is the last golden time to revive the company's super-gap in semiconductors.
According to industry sources on the 15th, Jun reportedly said at a recent management briefing for executives, "Do not rest on your achievements. Treat the current boom as the last golden time to restore our fundamental competitiveness." He also made clear that the company should not be swept up by the memory boom, but instead strengthen profitability and technological competitiveness across the business.
In the securities market, some observers say Samsung Electronics could surpass 30 trillion won in operating profit this year thanks to its semiconductor business. Jun, however, appears to be placing more weight on sweeping reform for the super-gap in semiconductors rather than on such rosy forecasts. Earlier this year, Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong also told executives during a training session, "This is not the time to become complacent just because the numbers have improved," adding that it was "the last chance to restore competitiveness."
Jun emphasized trust with customers in the memory business and urged employees to "always support customers' businesses with a humble attitude." The message appears to be that, even though the market is currently so tight that memory chips are selling as soon as they are made, the company should not become complacent about its supply advantage and must maintain a customer-centric approach. He also said, "Results are created by customers," adding that customer feedback should be reflected in product development and that quality must never be compromised, even during a boom.
Jun also reportedly stressed that executives must stay focused and carry out their core management duties despite the unsettled atmosphere inside and outside the company. He told them, "The company is facing difficulties on many fronts and is under the spotlight, but management activities must continue without disruption," calling for each business division to respond responsibly. The message is being read as a call to protect production and supply stability at all costs, even as uncertainty grows over the union's planned general strike and other external and internal risks.
Jun's remarks came as the union announced a 18-day general strike from the 21st through next month's 7th. If the union carries out the strike as planned, losses could reach tens of trillions of won. JPMorgan Chase recently predicted in a report that the strike could cut Samsung Electronics' annual operating profit by more than 4 trillion won. The union itself estimates production disruptions could cause damage worth 2 trillion to 3 trillion won. Major global Big Tech clients, meanwhile, are closely watching the situation, directly asking Samsung Electronics about semiconductor production stability and possible supply disruptions, and requesting weekly updates.
soup@fnnews.com Lim Su-bin Reporter