Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong's First Steps After Dismissal of Arrest Warrant, President Team Review Meeting (Comprehensive)

Lee Jae-yong, Vice Chairman of Samsung Electronics / Photo by Honam Moon munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Changhwan Lee] Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong held a series of meetings with presidents of key business divisions such as semiconductors and smartphones to review strategies for overcoming the crisis. This is his first public management activity since the arrest warrant related to the succession of management rights was dismissed on the 9th.

According to industry sources on the 15th, Vice Chairman Lee met in the morning with Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Kim Ki-nam, President Jin Gyo-young of the Memory Business Division, President Jung Eun-seung of the Foundry Business Division, President Kang In-yeop of the System LSI Business Division, and President Park Hak-gyu, Head of Management Support Office of the DS (Device Solutions) Division, to discuss the global semiconductor market conditions and investment strategies.

In the afternoon, Vice Chairman Lee reportedly held consecutive strategy meetings on foundry (semiconductor contract manufacturing). During the foundry meetings, they reviewed the global market situation, the impact of trade disputes on the market, and the development roadmap for advanced processes (5nm, GAA, etc.).

Afterwards, he held a meeting with the wireless business division executives to review the first half performance and discuss plans to expand sales in the second half, as well as to review the operating strategy for next year’s flagship lineup.

Attending this meeting were Samsung Electronics Wireless Business Division President Noh Tae-moon, President Choi Yoon-ho of the Management Support Office, Vice President Choi Kyung-sik, Head of Wireless Business Division Strategy Marketing Office, Vice President Kim Kyung-joon, Head of Wireless Business Division Development Office, and Vice President Kim Sung-jin, Head of Wireless Business Division Support Team.

This was the first time in about 80 days since Vice Chairman Lee held a meeting with presidents when he visited the Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology on March 25 to check next-generation technologies. Despite many external adversities such as the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and the US-China trade conflict, Vice Chairman Lee has recently emphasized his commitment to business investment and innovation.

With the dismissal of the arrest warrant against Vice Chairman Lee, there have been expectations inside and outside Samsung Group that he will actively engage in company management again.

Starting with his visit to the semiconductor research center at Samsung Electronics’ Hwaseong plant earlier this year, Vice Chairman Lee has been busy visiting various business sites nationwide. Even after the COVID-19 outbreak, he has continuously visited business sites and also visited the semiconductor plant in Xi’an, China, to check on management status and encourage employees.

Vice Chairman Lee has repeatedly promised bold challenges and investments in new businesses. At a public apology press conference on the 6th of last month, he declared, "While focusing on the areas we do best, we will also boldly challenge new businesses."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.