"How Did an Employee Who Loved Samsung End Up Like This?"... Past Video of Samsung Electronics Union Chairman Resurfaces

Past Samsung Newsroom Appearance Resurfaces

A past video featuring Choi Seungho, Chairman of the Samsung Group Trans-Union Samsung Electronics Branch. Captured from the YouTube channel 'Samsung Electronics Semiconductor Newsroom'

As the second round of post-mediation negotiations, which could be the last before a potential general strike at Samsung Electronics, resumed on the morning of May 19, nationwide attention has focused not only on the talks but also on a resurfaced past video of Choi Seungho, Chairman of the Samsung Electronics branch of the Samsung Group Superunion, who is at the center of the negotiations. The public is particularly interested in the contrast between his previous work as a renowned in-house 'semiconductor instructor' and his current role as a hardline union leader.

On May 19, labor and management at Samsung Electronics continued the second day of their post-mediation meeting at the Central Labor Relations Commission in the Government Complex Sejong. With the negotiations taking place just two days before the planned general strike, they are widely seen as the last real opportunity to reach an agreement. It is reported that the discussions are focusing on key issues such as the criteria for the performance-based bonus fund, payment methods, and the distribution ratio by division.

Samsung Union Chairman’s ‘Semiconductor Instructor’ Video from Three Years Ago Gains Attention

As labor-management negotiations continue, Choi’s past appearances are circulating online once again. Three years ago, he appeared in content for the Samsung Electronics Semiconductor Newsroom, where he was introduced as an employee responsible for in-house training.

A past video featuring Choi Seungho, Chairman of the Samsung Electronics Branch of the Samsung Group's Supra-Enterprise Union. Captured from the YouTube channel 'Samsung Electronics Semiconductor Newsroom'

In the video at the time, he explained that he developed automation systems to improve semiconductor production efficiency and was responsible for teaching these systems to employees. He expressed pride in his role as an instructor, stating that he felt fulfilled when colleagues reached out to him again after participating in his training sessions, and he led lectures based on features he had created himself.

The video also showed his hobby of clay art. In particular, he revealed clay models he made himself—such as Pokemon characters and Samsung DS characters—which highlighted a different side from his current image as a hardline union chairman.

Online Opinions Divided over Union Activity

With this past video resurfacing, a wide range of reactions have appeared online. Some netizens commented, "We need to think about why an employee who loved the company became the union chairman" and "His hobby reveals an unexpected side." Others expressed, "No one would have predicted this outcome at the time," "The strike could burden the company and the economy," "It's hard to sympathize with the union activities," and "How did an employee who loved the company end up like this?"

The Samsung Electronics union is demanding the institutionalization of a performance-based bonus system amounting to 15% of operating profit, as well as the removal of the bonus cap set at 50% of annual salary. The union has announced plans for a general strike from May 21 to July 7. The company, on the other hand, maintains its position of keeping the current Excess Value Added (EVA)-based Over-Performance Incentive (OPI) system in place, while offering additional special bonuses for the semiconductor (DS) division. If the strike proceeds as planned, Samsung Electronics is expected to suffer direct and indirect damages exceeding 100 trillion won, including production disruptions and impacts on the supply chain.

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