English translation of the original Korean report. Images and source documents may contain Korean text.

Approximately 20,000 People Attend Suwon General Assembly, According to Union and Police Estimates… Chairman Son Yong-ho: ‘I will talk with someone who has real authority.’

The union’s pursuit of management accountability from Roh Tae-moon, CEO and Head of Samsung Electronics’ DX Division, is intensifying. The Samsung Electronics Labor Union ‘Donghaeng’ (Chairman Son Yong-ho) held a general assembly at the Suwon business site on the 5th, demanding an end to performance-based pay discrimination. Chairman Son declared that a sit-in protest would begin in front of Samsung Electronics’ Seocho office building starting on the 9th.

Approximately 20,000 people attended the general assembly held at 5 PM on the 5th at the central gate of the Suwon business site in Gyeonggi Province, according to union estimates. Donghaeng stated that the police estimate of attendees was also approximately 20,000 people.

The union pursued management accountability from Roh Tae-moon, Head of the DX Division, displaying slogans such as ‘Incompetent Roh Tae-moon, resign!’ and ‘Explain the record sales, record deficit!’

Chairman Son also mentioned Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong in his speech. He emphasized the importance of action, claiming that in the past, he was ‘the person who blocked Chairman Lee Jae-yong’s car with his bare hands and conveyed the voices of the employees.’

He continued, stating, ‘Starting Monday, November 9th, I will begin a sit-in protest in front of Samsung Electronics’ Seocho office building,’ and added, ‘The only demand is a dialogue with someone who has real authority.’

He also said, ‘The choice of whether to watch us freeze to death in front of the Seocho office building or to engage in dialogue is up to the company.’

■ Roh Tae-moon’s Town Hall Meeting Also Postponed… Union: ‘Management Must Be Held Accountable for Its Decisions’

The ‘DX CONNECT’ town hall meeting for DX employees, which Roh Tae-moon, Head of the Division, was scheduled to hold on the 22nd of last month, has been postponed. Samsung Electronics’ DX Division recorded operating losses of approximately 800 billion won in the second and third quarters of this year, respectively. The union’s position is that since the cumulative deficit for the two quarters reached approximately 1.6 trillion won despite increased sales, management must explain its responsibility for the deterioration of profits due to pricing policies and cost burdens.

The conflict over performance-based pay is also ongoing. In this year’s wage negotiations, a separate special management performance bonus, funded by 10.5% of business performance, was newly established for the Semiconductor (DS) Division. Donghaeng claims that the opinions of DX employees were not sufficiently reflected in the agreement process. On the other hand, Samsung Electronics has stated that this year’s wage negotiations have already concluded and that compensation based on the performance of each business division is the principle.

Conflict between unions is also expanding. On the 4th, an application for the establishment of the ‘Samsung Electronics Union Shop Labor Union,’ reportedly led by individuals from the existing enterprise-wide union and Donghaeng, was submitted. Donghaeng distanced itself, stating it has no relation to the newly established union. Chairman Son stated on this day, ‘DX and DS are not opponents who should fight each other,’ and expressed his intention to expand the scope of solidarity to include workers from partner companies.

Chairman Son claimed that he is currently unable to participate in wage negotiations or strike, emphasizing, ‘If the company refuses dialogue until the very end, I will also not back down until the very end.’ Donghaeng is demanding cash-based compensation for DX employees and the establishment of a joint bargaining system by 2027, and Samsung Electronics’ specific position on the declaration of the sit-in protest has not yet been confirmed.