Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong said, "I sincerely apologize to the people and customers around the world for causing anxiety and concern due to internal company issues."
On the 16th, after finishing a business trip to Japan and returning to the Gimpo Business Aviation Center (SGBAC) in Gangseo District, Seoul, Lee met with reporters and said, "To all our people who always support, love, and prod Samsung, I bow my head in apology," stating this position.
To the labor union, he said, "Members of Samsung, we are one body, one family," and emphasized, "Now is the time to move wisely in one direction." He added, "I will face the fierce storm myself," and said, "I will do my best so that we can once again be proud of Samsung's strength."
He also said, "I thank the government and all those involved who are working hard to resolve the issue," and repeatedly apologized, saying, "I am sorry once again for causing worry to customers and the public."
This is the first time Lee has publicly stated his position regarding the strike situation. It is known that Lee adjusted his Japan trip schedule and returned to deliver this apology.
The Samsung Electronics union is currently demanding institutionalization of distributing, without a cap, 15% of the operating profit of the DS division, which handles the semiconductor business, to union members. The union has warned that if management does not accept this, it will launch a general strike for 18 days starting on the 21st.
Samsung Electronics has reportedly begun partial production cuts by reducing wafer input in preparation for the possibility of a prolonged strike. In the industry, there are projections that if a full-scale general strike becomes a reality, losses could reach as much as 100 trillion won.
As concerns about a strike grew, Samsung Electronics management also moved to respond. The day before, Samsung Electronics presidents issued a public apology, and Jun Young-hyun, head of the DS division (vice chairman), personally visited the Pyeongtaek Super Enterprise Union office the same day to request talks. Kim Young-hoon, Minister of Employment and Labor (MOEL), also began mediating by meeting with the union side.
In a public apology press conference in May 2020, Lee pledged to ensure that "the phrase 'no-union management' will no longer be heard at Samsung," promising to guarantee the three labor rights and comply with labor-management laws and regulations.