'Pro YouTuber' Gyeong Gye-hyeon... Samsung Executives Compete in Communication Leadership

Kyung Gye-hyun Talks with Employees Weekly on 'WeTalk'... Han Jong-hee Sets Aside Authority
Lee Jae-yong Emphasizes Communication After Lottery Win... Signals Organizational Culture Change

[Photo by Samsung Electronics Semiconductor YouTube capture]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Yeju] The communication efforts of Kyung Kye-hyun, President of Samsung Electronics' DS (Semiconductor) Division, are drawing attention from the business community. Known among Samsung's executive team for emphasizing communication, he is analyzed to be playing a significant role in establishing a horizontal organizational culture. As communication with the MZ (Millennial + Generation Z) generation has become a key issue for companies, it seems that winds of change are blowing through Samsung's previously somewhat rigid organizational culture.

According to industry sources on the 25th, Samsung Electronics Semiconductor's YouTube recently released a video titled "A Video You Must Watch If You Only Chase Goals," featuring a lecture by President Kyung.

Since his appointment in December last year, President Kyung has been conducting a weekly internal communication channel called "WeTalk," aimed at expanding opportunities for DS Division executives to directly communicate with department employees. He conveys topics such as organizational life, how to work well, and things leaders tend to overlook, showcasing his role as a "communication master."

President Kyung is known to have emphasized the importance of communication since his time as CEO of Samsung Electro-Mechanics. He is famous for lowering his authority and promoting horizontal relationships, suggesting employees call him by his English initials "KH" instead of his presidential title. Employees have responded enthusiastically to communication opportunities with the president, which were previously limited to conference calls or official events, and many follow President Kyung as he expands communication systems such as workshops and book discussion meetings.

Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong is visiting the Samsung Engineering Global Engineering Center (GEC) in Sangil-dong, Gangdong-gu, Seoul on the 24th and taking photos with employees.
[Photo by Samsung Engineering employee SNS]

Not only President Kyung but also recent Samsung Electronics executives are focusing on breaking down authoritarian culture and creating a horizontal organizational culture.

Han Jong-hee, Vice Chairman and Head of Samsung Electronics' DX (Device Experience) Division, holds employee events called "DX Connect" in the form of town hall meetings every half-year. At these events, he has requested to be called "JH" instead of Vice Chairman. Employees reportedly found this style different and unfamiliar compared to Han's previous approach.

Vice Chairman Han also conducts a "CEO One Table" event monthly, where he sits around a round table with a small number of employees to have discussions. Recently, he recommended books suitable for the summer vacation season on the internal bulletin board "NOW" and actively communicates by replying daily to employees' posts on the board.

The CEOs' communication management is interpreted as influenced by Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong's call for communication innovation to foster a horizontal and flexible culture. After returning from a European business trip in June, Lee said, "There is much confusion, change, and uncertainty in the market, but what we must do is bring in good people and create a flexible culture so our organization can adapt to predictable changes," signaling a change in organizational culture.

Following his reinstatement through a special pardon on Liberation Day, Vice Chairman Lee attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the semiconductor research and development (R&D) complex at Samsung Electronics' Giheung Campus on the 19th as his first official schedule, and five days later visited Samsung Engineering, continuing his on-site management activities.

The business community predicts that Samsung will continue follow-up measures for organizational culture change.

An industry official said, "Since Vice Chairman Lee promised to expand direct communication opportunities with employees, orders for internal communication innovation will continue," adding, "Organizational culture improvements that can enhance employees' sense of belonging and capabilities are expected."

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