Lee Jae-yong, chairman of Samsung Electronics, publicly apologized to the nation and customers just five days before a planned general strike by the company’s union. Samsung and the union agreed to resume negotiations on May 18.
Upon his return to Seoul on May 16 at the Gimpo Business Aviation Center, Lee stated, "I sincerely apologize to our global customers for the anxiety and concern caused by our internal issues," and added, "I bow my head in apology to the people who always support, love, and challenge Samsung."
During his apology, Lee bowed his head three times. He emphasized, "I will take the brunt of the harsh winds and blame myself for everything. Let’s do our best to make Samsung a source of pride for all of us."
Following this, both parties agreed to hold a second round of negotiations on the morning of May 18 at the Central Labor Relations Commission in Sejong City, with the commission's chairperson set to oversee the discussions.
Previously, Samsung and the union engaged in marathon negotiations from May 11 to the early hours of May 13 under the commission's mediation. However, talks broke down over disagreements regarding performance bonus criteria. The commission had requested the parties to reconvene on May 16, but the union declined, leading to a stalemate.
On the afternoon of May 16, around 4 p.m., the two sides held a preliminary meeting at the union office at the Pyeongtaek campus, attended by Choi Seung-ho, chairman of the Samsung Electronics branch of the Samsung Group's major labor union. The company’s lead negotiator was replaced at the union's request, with Lee Myung-gu, head of the Device Solutions People Team, participating.
Choi commented on Lee's public apology, saying, "Employees joined the union because trust with the company was broken. In the DS division, 85% of employees are union members, so practically everyone is part of the union. It may take time to rebuild trust, but I hope we can work together starting with this negotiation."
On May 15, Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Young-hoon met with Choi to hear the union's demands and subsequently discussed the government's position with Samsung's management in an effort to mediate between the two sides.
The Samsung Electronics Labor Union's Joint Struggle Headquarters plans to initiate a general strike from May 21 to June 7, lasting 18 days. More than 46,000 union members have expressed their intention to participate, with the union claiming that up to 50,000 members could join the strike.
Below is the full statement from Lee Jae-yong, chairman of Samsung Electronics.
I sincerely apologize to our global customers for the anxiety and concern caused by our internal issues.
And I bow my head in apology to the people who always support, love, and challenge Samsung.
To the labor union and all Samsung family members, we are one body, one family. Now is the time to wisely unite our strength and move forward in one direction.
I will take the brunt of the harsh winds and blame myself for everything. Let’s do our best to make Samsung a source of pride for all of us.
Finally, I would like to thank the government and all those working hard to resolve our issues.
I apologize for causing concern. Once again, I bow my head in apology to our customers and the public.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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