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 the company's internal issues."
On the 16th, after finishing a business trip to Japan and returning to the Gimpo Business Aviation Center (SGBAC) in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, Lee met with reporters and said, "To all our people who always support Samsung, love us, and spur us on, I bow my head in apology," expressing this position.
To the union, he said, "Samsung members, 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 wind and rain," 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 everyone involved who are working hard to resolve the issue," and repeatedly apologized, saying, "I am sorry once again for causing worry to our customers and the public."
This is the first time Lee has publicly stated his position regarding the strike situation. It is known that he adjusted his Japan trip schedule and returned to make this apology.
Currently, the Samsung Electronics union is demanding institutionalization to distribute, without an upper limit, 15% of the operating profit of the DS division, which is in charge of 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 is said to have begun partial production cuts by reducing wafer input in preparation for the possibility of a prolonged strike. In the industry, there is also a projection that if a full-scale general strike becomes a reality, losses could reach up to 100 trillion won.
As concerns over a strike grew, Samsung Electronics management also moved to respond. The day before, Samsung Electronics' presidents issued a public apology, and DS division head (Vice Chairman) Jun Young-hyun visited the Pyeongtaek Super-Enterprise Union office the same day to request talks. Minister Kim Young-hoon of the Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL) also met with the union side to mediate.
In a public apology press conference in May 2020, Lee pledged to guarantee the three labor rights and comply with labor-management laws and regulations, saying, "I will make sure the phrase 'no-union management' no longer comes up at Samsung."