Samsung's Lee Jae-yong aims to create new semiconductor market

Amid forecasts that the semiconductor boom has come to an end, Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong visited the company’s Giheung plant on Friday and encouraged its employees to overcome the crisis with technological innovation. Lee’s visit, which was made after attending the operation ceremony of its 5G mobile equipment production line in Suwon on Thursday, was to highlight the importance of exploring new growth engines.

“We should bring about technological innovation to overcome the stagnation in the semiconductor market and strengthen our competitiveness in system semiconductor business, including automotive chips, sensors, and foundry,” Vice Chairman Lee said. “Let’s create a new semiconductor market in the era of fourth industrial revolution.”

Samsung’s leadership, including Device Solutions Division head Kim Ki-nam, Memory Division head Jin Kyo-young, Foundry Business head Jung Eun-seung, System LSI Division head Kang In-yeop and Samsung Display President Lee Dong-hoon were in attendance that day. “Vice Chairman Lee stressed the importance of facing challenges for the 'super-gap' strategy at the company’s semiconductor lab in Hwaseong in August last year,” an industry expert said. "Lee's message this time was to prepare for a crisis down the road."


Ji-Hyun Kim jhk85@donga.com