Samsung Electronics struggled to keep pace with rapid changes in the AI semiconductor market last year, while its smartphone, TV, and home appliance segments failed to secure a dominant market position, Vice Chairman and CEO Han Jong-hee said on March 19.
Speaking at the company’s general shareholders meeting, Han acknowledged investor concerns over Samsung’s prolonged stock slump and pledged to take “painstaking efforts” to enhance shareholder value despite challenging global conditions.
At the meeting, held in Suwon, just south of Seoul, Samsung’s board approved director appointments and other agenda items before executives fielded shareholder questions. This marks the second year in a row that management has held a direct Q&A session with investors.
Shareholders pressed executives on Samsung’s lagging stock performance, semiconductor strategy, tariff concerns, and merger and acquisition (M&A) plans.
“The market remains skeptical about our technological competitiveness, keeping our stock under pressure,” Han said. “In addition, U.S.-led tariffs and potential retaliatory tariffs from affected countries are weighing on global stock performance.”
Han said Samsung aims to strengthen its core technological competitiveness this year and deliver solid financial results to drive a stock price recovery.
Addressing U.S. tariff concerns, Han said the company has manufacturing bases in multiple regions beyond China and Mexico and has optimized its global logistics network to minimize tariff impacts. “Leveraging our global manufacturing and logistics capabilities, we will navigate tariff barriers effectively,” he said.
Shareholders approved key board appointments, including Jun Young-hyun, head of Samsung’s semiconductor business, and Song Jai-hyuk, chief technology officer of the Device Solutions division. Lee Hyuk-jae, an electrical engineering professor at Seoul National University, was elected as an outside director. Investors also signed off on financial statements and executive pay limits.
