Samsung Electronics' presidents officially apologized for burdening the public and the government due to the prolonged labor-management conflict.
On the 15th, Jun Young-hyun, head of Samsung Electronics' DS division (vice chairman), Roh Tae-Moon, head of the DX division (president), and the rest of Samsung Electronics' presidents said in an official apology, "Because of Samsung Electronics' labor issue, we caused a great burden and concern to the public and the government," adding, "We deeply bow our heads in apology."
The presidents said, "As achievements grow, society's expectations of Samsung become stricter and higher, and we failed to properly recognize this," expressing a heavy sense of responsibility.
They also cited the rapidly changing global business environment and stressed that time cannot be wasted on internal conflict. The presidents said, "We will regard the labor union as one family and a community of shared destiny, and we will engage in dialogue with an unconditionally open attitude," urging the union to promptly come to the table in light of public concerns and the national economy.
They also voiced concern over the damage the semiconductor institutional sector could suffer due to the strike. The presidents said, "Unlike other industries, this is a process industry where operations must run around the clock without a break, so there must never be a strike," adding, "If we fail to keep our promises to customers, we will completely lose our trust asset."
The presidents also pledged, "With solid management, relentless technological innovation, and bold future investment, we will be an unshakable pillar of the national economy."
In addition to Vice Chairman and CEO Jun Young-hyun and President Roh Tae-Moon, a total of 17 presidents signed the apology, including Kim Soo-mok, Kim Yong-gwan, Kim Woo-joon, Kim Won-kyung, Nam Seok-woo, Mauro Porcini, Park Seung-hee, Park Yong-in, Park Hong-geun, Baek Soo-hyun, Song Jai-hyuk, Yong Seok-woo, Yoon Jang-hyun, Lee Won-jin, Choi Won-joon, and Han Jin-man.