Samsung Compliance Chief: Semiconductor Regional Investment Must Not Be Swayed by Political Logic

Lee Chan-hee, Chairman of the Samsung Compliance Committee, stated regarding the review of semiconductor plant investments in the Honam and Chungcheong regions that he would "closely monitor the situation to ensure it is not swayed by political logic, without considering corporate sustainability and the impact on the national economy."

Ahead of the 4th regular meeting of the Compliance Committee held at the Samsung Life Insurance building in Seocho-gu, Seoul, this afternoon (June 16), Chairman Lee was asked by reporters whether regional semiconductor investment was a matter for the committee to review. He replied, "If it leads to actual investment, I expect it will become a subject of discussion for the committee."

According to government and business circles recently, it has been reported that Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix are examining various ways to expand their semiconductor production hubs, which are currently concentrated in the Seoul metropolitan area, to regions such as Honam and Chungcheong.

This is interpreted as a response to growing calls to induce investment in regional areas for balanced national development, as an unprecedented boom continues due to the surge in demand for memory semiconductors.

Regarding the social controversy over paying 'N% of operating profit' as performance bonuses, Chairman Lee said, "I have been watching the issue of illegality with interest, but I have not yet found any particular problems or anything wrong with that part." He added, "I believe that Samsung also went through sufficient legal review internally before reaching (the labor-management agreement)."

He further stated, "I think it is dangerous to either deny or blindly follow each side's claims regarding legal judgments on certain facts until they are finally confirmed by the court."

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.