Samsung Electronics awarded memory‑chip division employees bonuses up to $400,000 each, helping avert a potential strike at its Pyeongtaek semiconductor plant.
Employees outside the semiconductor division received much smaller bonuses, around $4,000, prompting criticism over income disparity within the company.
South Korea’s chip exports surged 202 % in the first 20 days of May year‑on‑year, reflecting strong global demand for AI‑driven high‑bandwidth memory chips.
President’s policy chief Kim Yong‑beom suggested using AI‑boom tax revenues for a “citizen dividend”; Labour Minister Kim Young‑hoon proposed a “social solidarity wage”.
Officials have also discussed channeling part of excess tax revenues into a Korean‑style sovereign wealth fund, though no decision has been taken.
Samsung announced a 4.5 trillion won (≈ $3.33 bn) five‑year fund to support suppliers, AI talent development, and community programmes.
