Lee Jae-yong Travels to Europe Despite COVID-19... Resumes Global On-site Management After 5 Months (Comprehensive)

Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong (second from right) visited the headquarters of ASML in the Netherlands on the 13th (local time) and is examining EUV equipment together with Samsung Electronics DS Division Vice Chairman Kim Ki-nam (center).

[Asia Economy Reporters Kim Hyewon and Lee Gimin] Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong returned to Korea on the 14th after completing business trips to the Netherlands and Switzerland amid the COVID-19 pandemic. He visited ASML, a long-time business partner, to explore cooperation plans for developing next-generation semiconductor technologies.

According to Samsung Electronics, Vice Chairman Lee departed for the Netherlands on the 8th via a Korean Air charter flight and arrived at Gimpo Airport on the morning of the 14th after a six-night, seven-day schedule. This marks his first global on-site management visit in five months since visiting the semiconductor plant in Xi'an, China, in May.

The day before, Vice Chairman Lee visited ASML’s headquarters in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, where he met with CEO Peter Wennink and CTO Martin van den Brink to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation for next-generation semiconductor technology development. Samsung Electronics’ DS Division Head (Vice Chairman) Kim Ki-nam also attended the meeting.

Vice Chairman Lee and CEO Wennink exchanged views on ▲ plans for supplying and advancing operational technology of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) equipment essential for producing cutting-edge semiconductors below 7 nanometers ▲ collaboration on developing next-generation manufacturing technologies for future semiconductors such as artificial intelligence (AI) ▲ market outlook amid the prolonged COVID-19 situation and future semiconductor technology strategies for post-COVID-19 response.

When asked by reporters at Gimpo Airport about the expansion of EUV equipment supply, Vice Chairman Lee said, "We discussed cooperation plans," implying positive transactions. He also visited ASML’s semiconductor manufacturing plant to directly observe the current status of EUV equipment production.

Vice Chairman Lee previously met ASML executives, including CEO Wennink, who visited Samsung Electronics in November 2016, to discuss cooperation plans on next-generation semiconductor fine process technologies. In February last year, they met in Paris, France, to exchange views on the semiconductor industry.

Samsung Electronics has cooperated with ASML since the 2000s to develop ultra-fine semiconductor process technologies and equipment, recognizing the necessity of EUV technology for next-generation semiconductors. In 2012, Samsung strengthened its partnership through a strategic equity investment in ASML. EUV lithography technology uses extreme ultraviolet light sources to etch semiconductor circuits onto wafers, enabling finer circuit implementation than existing technologies. It is essential for manufacturing cutting-edge, high-performance, low-power, ultra-compact semiconductors required for AI, 5th generation (5G) mobile communications, and autonomous driving.

Samsung Electronics and ASML have collaborated from the early stages to solve technical challenges related to EUV, including ▲ development of advanced semiconductor materials optimized for EUV ▲ improvement of equipment productivity ▲ performance enhancement. Samsung Electronics has recently expanded the use of EUV from system semiconductors to cutting-edge memory semiconductors. Especially with the rapid growth of the foundry business, the cooperative relationship between the two companies is deepening.

Following visits to Brazil in January and China in May, Vice Chairman Lee continued his global on-site management by visiting the Netherlands amid the resurgence of COVID-19 in Europe. It is reported that during this European trip, he also stopped by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) located in Lausanne, Switzerland. Vice Chairman Lee said, "I also visited the IOC," adding, "The next business trip destination has not yet been decided."

Samsung Electronics has an official Olympic sponsorship contract with the IOC through 2028. It is the only Korean company with the highest-level (TOP·The Olympic Partner) official sponsorship status and has maintained the TOP contract for over 30 years since the 1988 Seoul Olympics. Previously, Samsung Group Chairman Lee Kun-hee was elected as an IOC member during the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and served as Korea’s longest-serving sports diplomatic envoy. After resigning in 2017 due to health reasons, he was appointed an honorary IOC member.

Upon returning, Vice Chairman Lee underwent a COVID-19 test at a temporary living facility set up at the Marina Bay Hotel in Gimpo Airport. Having traveled through the expedited business lane (simplified entry procedures), he is exempt from mandatory self-quarantine.

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