"KRW 6 Million Bonus"... Samsung Electronics DX Chief Roh Tae-moon Moves to Reassure Employees, Saying He Will "Personally Oversee It"

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[Financial News] On the 27th, right after the provisional agreement on the 2026 wage negotiations was approved, backlash has been growing, especially in non-semiconductor divisions. In response, Roh Tae-moon, president and head of the Device eXperience Division (DX Division) at Samsung Electronics, moved to calm the organization.
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In a message sent to employees that day, Roh said, "I believe many of you have recently felt a sense of exclusion, deprivation, disappointment, and hurt toward the company because of the wage negotiations process and its outcome."
He added, "As the differences in business conditions and industry trends have led to different results across divisions, I feel both regret and a sense of responsibility as the division head, and I am taking the current reality facing the DX Division very seriously."
Roh said, "It is true that the business environment facing the DX Division is by no means easy," adding, "We are dealing with a difficult business situation amid uncertainty in global demand, rising costs and expenses, and increasingly intense competition."
He emphasized, "Even so, the DX Division has come this far because all of you have carried out your roles without wavering in your respective positions, and I believe we clearly have the potential to rebuild our competitiveness."
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Roh said, "Going forward, I will take a more serious approach to restoring the DX Division's competitiveness and creating a new growth momentum," adding, "I will personally look into what needs to change by business area, where we need to focus more boldly, and what is most urgently needed on the ground."
He also stressed, "I will review everything again, from our cost structure and business operations to product competitiveness and execution systems, and steadily strengthen the foundation for mid- to long-term growth," adding, "I will make sure your efforts and dedication lead to tangible results and a sense of pride."
Meanwhile, the provisional agreement, which was finally approved with a 73.7% approval rate on the day, had already drawn strong complaints from unions and employees centered on the DX Division, as negotiations had been conducted mainly around the Device Solutions division. This is because the agreement is expected to create a clear gap in performance bonuses by division.
Employees in the Memory Business, riding the Supercycle, are expected to receive a total bonus of KRW 600 million, combining the Special Management Performance Bonus paid in treasury shares and the excess profit performance bonus, based on pre-tax income and an annual salary of KRW 100 million. By contrast, the DX Division, which handles smartphones, home appliances, and TVs, is likely to receive only treasury shares worth KRW 6 million. In particular, as the industry slowdown deepens, there is also talk that the DX Division may not receive any OPI, or that the amount could be reduced.
bng@fnnews.com Kim Hee-sun Reporter