Han Jong-hee, Vice Chairman and CEO of Samsung Electronics, stated today (19th), “We aim to establish a foundation for a re-leap in our existing business through ultra-gap technology leadership and continue new challenges in various areas such as robotics, medtech, and next-generation semiconductors to secure new growth engines for the future shaped by the growth of the AI industry.”
During the 56th Annual General Meeting of Shareholders held at the Suwon Convention Center in Gyeonggi Province, Han mentioned in his opening remarks as chairman, “2025 is expected to be a challenging year due to macroeconomic uncertainties, but the more difficult the environment, the more we will return to basics and focus on the company’s management philosophy of ‘creating the best products and services based on human resources and technology to contribute to human society.'”
Han noted, “Last year, despite challenging business conditions such as intensified competition in the semiconductor industry and rapid changes in IT technology, we exceeded 300 trillion won in sales and also saw an increase in operating profit compared to the previous year.”
He further reported, “As a result of our efforts to lay the foundation for sustainable growth through strategic facility investment and strengthened research and development, the company’s brand value surpassed $100 billion for the first time according to Interbrand’s evaluation in 2024, maintaining the global top 5 ranking for five consecutive years.”
He also emphasized shareholder value enhancement and shareholder-focused management. Han stated, “Samsung Electronics plans to distribute 9.8 trillion won in annual dividends in 2024 to enhance shareholder value. Considering market concerns about the company’s undervaluation last November, we decided on a 10 trillion won treasury stock purchase plan. In February, we completed the first phase of a 3 trillion won treasury stock cancellation, and we are also diligently proceeding with the second phase of a 3 trillion won treasury stock acquisition, committing to shareholder-focused management.”
At the shareholders’ meeting, agenda items were reviewed and voted on.
The agenda included the appointment of directors such as Jeon Young-hyun, head of the Device Solutions (DS) Division (Vice Chairman); Song Jae-hyuk, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of the DS Division and head of the Semiconductor Research Institute (President); and Lee Hyuk-jae, a professor at Seoul National University’s Department of Electrical and Information Engineering. Other items included the approval of financial statements and the approval of director remuneration limits.
After the agenda voting, DX Division head Han Jong-hee and DS Division head Jeon Young-hyun shared their respective business strategies for the year and held a separate “Dialogue with Shareholders” session.
(Photo: Yonhap News)