Samsung Electronics announced the promotion of 161 executives in their 2026 regular personnel appointments, including 51 vice presidents and 93 senior directors.
Since 2021, the number of promotions had decreased steadily from 214 to 137, but this year, the number increased by 24 compared to the previous year, based on the recovery of semiconductor performance and research and development achievements in next-generation technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics.
In particular, Samsung proactively selected future technology talents to respond to changes in industrial paradigms, continuing a bold generational shift by promoting many senior directors in their 30s and vice presidents in their 40s based on the principle of performance-based promotion.
Samsung Electronics announced on the 25th that 161 individuals, including 51 vice presidents, 93 senior directors, one fellow, and 16 masters, were promoted in the 2026 regular executive appointments.
The number of executive promotions at Samsung Electronics fell steadily from 214 in 2021 to 137 in 2025, but rebounded this year for the first time in a while.
This year’s appointments notably focused on utilizing talent in the fields of AI, robotics, and semiconductors to preemptively respond to changes in industrial paradigms.
In the Device eXperience (DX) division, many research and development personnel from Samsung Research were promoted.
Yoon-soo Lee, vice president (age 50), head of the Data Intelligence team at Samsung Research in the DX division, was recognized for his contributions to applying a personalized data platform to Galaxy and optimizing GPUs for AI services.
Goeun Choi, senior director (age 41), head of the Robot Platform team at Samsung Research in the DX division, was promoted to executive in recognition of her contributions to developing autonomous driving robots and securing technological competitiveness in the robotics field.
Sung-jin Lee, vice president (age 46), head of the Language AI Core Technology Development Group in the MX business unit of the DX division, was acknowledged for his expertise and contributions to the development of conversational platforms through leading the core technology development of generative AI based on Large Language Models (LLM).
In the Visual Display (VD) business unit, Dae-young Kim, senior director (age 48), head of the Product Display Lab, was recognized for his role in leading the development of new models for self-emissive Quantum Dots (QD) and Organic Light Emitting Diodes (OLED).
The Device Solutions (DS) division, which oversees the semiconductor business, also produced many promotions.
Executives recognized for strengthening business competitiveness and potential future leadership include Sil-wan Jang, vice president (age 52), head of the Solution Platform Development team in the Memory business unit; Bong-il Park, vice president (age 53), head of the SOC Advanced Development team in the System LSI business unit; Hee-il Hong, vice president (age 55), head of the DRAM PE team in the Memory business unit; Kyung-yoon No, vice president (age 53), head of the Flash PA1 group in the Memory business unit; and Young-tae Kim, vice president (age 57), head of the Product Technology team in the Foundry business unit.
The company also promoted senior directors in their 30s. Recognized for their potential growth regardless of seniority, they have joined the lineup of future management candidates.
Cheol-min Kim, senior director (age 39), head of the System Performance group in the MX business unit of the DX division, and Kang-wook Lee, senior director (age 39), head of the AI Model team at Samsung Research in the DX division, were selected as promotions in their 30s.
Meanwhile, with the conclusion of the executive promotions and the 2026 regular personnel appointments, Samsung Electronics is expected to soon announce organizational restructuring and new assignments.