Israel-Hamas Armed Conflict
"No Direct Damage to Employees"
Major domestic companies such as Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics are closely monitoring the armed conflict situation between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. LG Electronics has decided to repatriate its employees for their safety. After carefully examining the possibility of prolonged war and escalation to neighboring countries, they plan to cooperate with government guidelines.
According to industry sources on the 10th, following the armed conflict that occurred on the 7th (local time), major domestic companies have implemented measures such as switching employees to remote work and repatriation to Korea. Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics have sales or research and development (R&D) subsidiaries near Tel Aviv, about 100 km from the border, and it has been confirmed that they have not suffered immediate damage.
LG Electronics repatriated Korean employees and their families. On the 9th, LG Electronics decided to repatriate about 20 people, including employees working at the Tel Aviv sales branch in Israel and their families. Since the 7th, all local employees have switched to remote work and have been closely monitoring the situation. So far, no damage to employees or their families has been confirmed, but the company’s policy is to prioritize their safety.
An LG Electronics official said, "For local employees working at the branch, considering their safety, remote work continues, and the branch regularly checks employee safety while closely monitoring the situation."
Israel's air defense system 'Iron Dome' intercepting a rocket launched from the Gaza Strip over the southern city of Ashkelon on the 8th (local time). The Iron Dome failed to block rocket attacks by the Palestinian militant group Hamas. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News
Samsung Electronics operates an R&D center, Samsung Research Israel, and sales subsidiaries. About 10 Korean employees work as expatriates at the R&D and sales subsidiaries. The R&D subsidiary is expanding collaboration with local companies on quantum computing and artificial intelligence (AI). On the 28th of last month, ten days before the conflict, Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong visited the Israel R&D center to receive reports on innovative startups and new technology investments and to review plans for securing innovative technologies.
Samsung Electronics is currently switching all employees to remote work. No damage has been confirmed. Korean employees have not yet been repatriated. If the war prolongs or intensifies, they plan to evacuate employees to at least neighboring countries according to government guidelines.
A Samsung Electronics official said, "During the Ukraine-Russia war, we sent expatriates in Ukraine to neighboring countries to continue remote work. If the local situation worsens, we plan to take measures according to government guidelines."
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