Samsung Electronics Promotes 31 Vice Presidents as 'Prospective CEOs'... Large-Scale Selection of SW Talent (Comprehensive)

Promotion Party for 214 Executives... Largest in 3 Years
Youngest Vice President is Lee Junhee, Head of Network Business Pre-Development Group, Born in 1979, Also Produces Youngest Female Executive

[Asia Economy Reporters Hyewon Kim and Gimin Lee] Samsung Electronics has carried out the largest executive promotion in three years. This personnel move reflects the company's improved performance, including achieving record-breaking sales in the third quarter despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Thirty-one vice presidents were promoted to strengthen the pool of future CEOs, and 21 outstanding personnel in the software (SW) field were promoted, marking the 'highest number ever.'

On the 4th, Samsung Electronics conducted its 2021 regular executive personnel appointments, promoting a total of 214 executives. This included 31 vice presidents, 55 senior vice presidents, 111 general managers, 1 fellow, and 16 masters. This is the largest scale since the end of 2017 (221 people). A Samsung Electronics official explained, "Despite the uncertain management environment caused by the global spread of COVID-19, we expanded the scope of promotions considering the significant performance improvement compared to last year through timely response to demand and operational efficiency." The scale of Samsung Electronics' executive promotions was 90 in May 2017, 221 at the end of 2017, 158 at the end of 2018, and 162 in January this year.

Samsung Electronics promoted 31 core talents to vice president to strengthen the future CEO candidate pool. Notably, a generational shift was observed not only among presidents but also in vice president appointments. The youngest among this year's vice president promotions is Lee Junhee (51), head of the Advanced Development Group at the Network Business Division. As a wireless communication technology expert, he led the commercialization of 5G base station virtualization technology, contributing to securing large orders from global telecom operators such as Verizon in the U.S., according to the company. Other 'young blood' in their early 50s include Yoon Taeyang (52), head of the Global Infrastructure Pyeongtaek Plant, and Hwang Gihyun (53), head of the Foundry Process Development Team at the Semiconductor Research Center.

Following the principle of meritocracy, outstanding performers with growth potential were boldly selected regardless of age or tenure. This is interpreted as an effort to invigorate the organization through bold appointments amid the uncertain management environment caused by Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong's ongoing legal risks. There were 25 such appointments this time, maintaining the 20s range following 24 earlier this year. In May 2017, there were only 8, and 13 at the end of 2017. Lee Gisu, head of the Development Team at the Home Appliance Business Division, who led the planning and development of innovative home appliances such as the Bespoke refrigerator and Grande AI washing machine, was promoted to senior vice president just two years after becoming a general manager. Other notable appointments include Lee Jinyeop, senior vice president and head of the Flash Design Team in the Memory Business Division, a flash product design expert who succeeded in developing V-NAND over multiple generations and contributed to securing technological competitiveness in mass production, characteristics, and quality of high-density V-NAND products.

Samsung Electronics also maintained its policy of expanding promotion opportunities for foreigners and women to strengthen diversity and inclusion (D&I), which are the foundation of organizational innovation and sustainable management. Despite the consumption sentiment contraction caused by COVID-19, Vice President Stinjiano, head of the CE Business at the SEA Corporation, contributed to expanding sales and profitability of consumer electronics in the U.S. Dmitry, general manager of the CE B2C Team at the SERC Corporation, solidified the number one position with a 61% market share in the Russian premium TV market. Kim Eunha, general manager of Licensing Group 2 at the IP Center, an intellectual property expert with legal knowledge, contributed to eliminating business risks through major litigation settlements and negotiations related to mobile and network IP, as well as reducing royalty costs. Among those promoted to general manager this time, Lee Yunkyung of Samsung Research's Data Analysis Lab is the youngest female executive, born in 1979.

A notable feature of this personnel move is the significant expansion of promotions for outstanding SW personnel. To secure future core growth engines centered on software such as artificial intelligence (AI), 21 SW talents were promoted. A Samsung Electronics official said, "The expanded scale of promotions in the SW field is part of strengthening software as a future growth engine in line with the growth of AI and semiconductors," adding, "They will lead differentiation in product development and technological advancement."

Samsung Electronics also appointed 1 fellow and 16 masters, top experts in research and development representing the company's technological prowess, to reinforce its status as a technology company. Yoon Boeon, fellow at the Semiconductor Research Center's Process Development Office, is recognized as a global authority in next-generation semiconductor chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) processes, equipment, and materials. He contributed to enhancing competitiveness of semiconductor next-generation products by solving CMP-related challenges.

Samsung Electronics completed its executive appointments with this personnel move following the president-level appointments on the 2nd. It plans to finalize and announce organizational restructuring and position appointments soon.

On the same day, executive appointments were also made at Samsung Display and Samsung Electro-Mechanics, subsidiaries in the electronics sector. Samsung Display promoted a total of 22 executives, maintaining its policy of selecting outstanding female personnel by promoting 2 women executives this year following the first-ever promotion of 2 female executives last year.

In Samsung Electro-Mechanics' appointments, infrastructure technology expert Ahn Jeongsu was promoted from senior vice president to vice president. Samsung SDI promoted Kim Yoonchang, who led next-generation battery development, and Shim Uigyeong, who promoted talent development and organizational competitiveness, from senior vice presidents to vice presidents.

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