Han Jong-hee: "True Skills Shine in Difficult Times... Creating Opportunities in AI, IoT, Robotics, and Metaverse"

53rd Anniversary of Samsung Group
Commemorative Speech by Han Jong-hee, Head of Samsung Electronics DX Division

Han Jong-hee, Vice Chairman and Head of Samsung Electronics' DX (Device Experience) Division, speaking at a press briefing with Korean reporters on the day before the opening of 'IFA 2022,' Europe's largest home appliance exhibition, held in Berlin, Germany, on the 1st of last month (local time). (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok]

"True capabilities are demonstrated especially in difficult times. Let us once again transform ourselves anew and create a new history based on Samsung Electronics' strength and will to challenge."

On the 1st, Han Jong-hee, Vice Chairman and CEO of Samsung Electronics' DX (Device eXperience) Division, encouraged employees with these words during the Samsung Group's 53rd anniversary ceremony held at Digital City in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province. The ceremony was attended by Vice Chairman Han, Kyung Kye-hyun, President and CEO of the DS (Semiconductor) Division, and other executives and employees. According to Samsung Electronics, the company canceled the originally planned internal celebration performance and began the ceremony with a moment of silence to mourn the victims of the Itaewon accident. The ceremony was reported to have been conducted in a simple and solemn atmosphere.

On this day, Vice Chairman Han called for ▲ limitless challenges and innovation for new growth, ▲ redefining core competitiveness with a customer-centric approach, ▲ more active practice of sustainable management, and ▲ changing communication and work methods.

Vice Chairman Han emphasized, "Let us create new business opportunities that will change future lifestyles in new opportunity areas such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), robotics, and the metaverse to expand growth momentum." He also urged employees, "Based on a long-term perspective, let us strengthen eco-friendly technological innovation to contribute to a sustainable future society," and "Please actively participate so that pioneering compliance spirit and culture become the fundamental values of Samsung Electronics."

President Kyung also posted on the company bulletin board the day before together with Vice Chairman Han, saying, "We pray for the souls of the victims of the Itaewon tragedy," and "We extend our deepest condolences to all those who lost precious family and friends."

Since this event was the first anniversary ceremony after Lee Jae-yong's inauguration as Chairman of Samsung Electronics, there was speculation inside and outside the business community that major messages such as the so-called 'New Samsung' management declaration might be announced. However, it was reported that Chairman Lee would not issue a separate message.

Nevertheless, even if there is no 'New Samsung Declaration' on this day, interest in what card Samsung Group will play to strengthen management rights and accelerate major decision-making after Chairman Lee's inauguration is expected to remain high for the time being. There is talk of the possible revival of the group control tower and speculation that a series of high-intensity executive reshuffles might be pushed forward by the end of the year. For this reason, some believe that Samsung will not prolong the 'New Samsung' new management declaration.

Attention from the business community also focuses on the fact that Chairman Lee has emphasized 'technology, field, and compliance management' and identified semiconductors and bio as the two pillars of the group, as well as the continuous speculation about the full-scale placement of key executives such as the heads of the three task forces (TFs) of Samsung Electronics, Samsung Life Insurance, and Samsung C&T since the dissolution of the Future Strategy Office in 2017. The TF heads are Vice Chairman Jung Hyun-ho of Samsung Electronics, Vice President Park Jong-moon of Samsung Life Insurance, and President Kim Myung-soo of Samsung C&T. It is also analyzed that Chairman Lee might take steps to strengthen management rights by formally returning as a registered director in front of shareholders at the regular shareholders' meeting in March next year.