Jay Y. Lee Issues First Public Apology Over Bonus Dispute: "Time to Wisely Unite Our Strength" (Comprehensive)

Returned Early to Deliver Statement in Person

"Apologies to Customers and the Public for Causing Concern"

"Let Us Do Our Best to Be Proud Samsung People"

Samsung Electronics Chairman Jay Y. Lee has, for the first time, issued an apology regarding the recent conflict over internal performance bonuses, stating, "I will take the brunt of the harsh winds and accept full responsibility." With the likelihood of a general strike increasing on May 21 as labor and management have yet to reach an agreement, it appears that Chairman Lee is taking direct action to calm the situation.

On the afternoon of the 16th, upon returning from a business trip to Japan, Chairman Lee addressed the press at the Seoul Gimpo Business Aviation Center (SGBAC), saying, "Now is the time to wisely unite our strength and move forward together." According to Samsung Electronics, Chairman Lee rescheduled his trip and returned to Korea earlier than planned.

Reading from a prepared statement upon his return, he bowed his head three times. Chairman Lee said, "I sincerely apologize to our global customers for the anxiety and concern caused by our company's internal issues," and added, "I deeply bow my head in apology to the people of Korea, who have always supported, loved, and at times criticized Samsung."

Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong met with reporters to share his thoughts upon returning from a business trip to Japan on the afternoon of the 16th at the Seoul Gimpo Business Aviation Center (SGBAC). Photo by Yonhap News.

He also addressed Samsung Electronics employees, including union members, stating, "To our union members and the Samsung family, we are one body, one family. Let us do our best so that we can all be proud to call ourselves Samsung people."

He continued, "I would like to thank the government and all those who are working hard to help us resolve these issues," and added, "Once again, I deeply bow in apology to our customers and the people of Korea for causing concern."

With the general strike announced by the union scheduled for next week, the government, political circles, and business community are expressing concerns about the potential fallout. Kim Young-hoon, Minister of Employment and Labor, met with the Samsung Electronics union the previous day, and on this day also met with management, urging continued dialogue on wage negotiations.

Amid these developments, Samsung’s management is making every effort to persuade the union. The previous day, Samsung Electronics’ executive team released a statement pledging to "engage in open dialogue without any conditions" and repeatedly called on the union to return to the negotiating table. On the same day, Jeon Young-hyun, Vice Chairman and Head of the Device Solutions (DS) division, along with the DS executive team, traveled to Pyeongtaek to meet directly with Choi Seungho, head of the Samsung Electronics branch of the Super-Enterprise Union, in an attempt to persuade him.

Previously, after the second round of post-mediation negotiations under the Central Labor Relations Commission failed, management requested further dialogue with the union. However, the union declared its intent to push ahead with the general strike, stating that management had not changed its position. The union has announced an 18-day general strike from May 21 to June 7.

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