Jun Young-hyun, vice chairman and CEO of Samsung Electronics' (005930.KS) Device Solutions (DS) division, is strengthening semiconductor technology leadership by building a "One Team" ecosystem with suppliers. The company plans to elevate the fundamentals of Korea's broader semiconductor industry through comprehensive support in funding, technology and human resources.
Samsung Electronics said it held the "2026 DS Division Co-Prosperity Day" at The Universe in Yongin on Thursday. About 90 people attended, including Vice Chairman Jun, Hyeopsung Association Chairman Kim Young-jae, who is also CEO of Daeduck Electronics (353200.KS), and representatives from 64 member companies.
The Co-Prosperity Day, launched in 2012, is an annual event to reinforce the commitment to mutual growth between management and suppliers. Since last year, the DS and Device eXperience (DX) divisions have held the event separately to allow more in-depth discussions.
Samsung Electronics shared its mid- to long-term technology roadmap at the event and recognized 17 suppliers for outstanding achievements in technology and quality innovation, environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices, and cost efficiency. KC Tech, which localized materials previously highly dependent on overseas sources, and Komico, which improved parts shipment quality, received the top awards. Linde Korea, recognized for leading greenhouse gas reduction efforts, and Wonik IPS (240810.KS), which boosted investment efficiency through equipment localization, also made the winners' list.
"Semiconductor technology innovation is possible thanks to close partnerships with our suppliers," Vice Chairman Jun said. "We will continue to pursue mutual growth based on open communication and technology exchange."
Chairman Kim echoed the sentiment. "Core competitiveness in the artificial intelligence era is realized when we come together as one team," he said, urging efforts to extend co-prosperity to second- and third-tier suppliers.
Samsung is also channeling resources into tailored support for suppliers. On the financial side, the DS division has provided more than approximately 800 billion won ($580 million) in incentives to suppliers. It has also established a 1.4 trillion won co-prosperity fund and a 1 trillion won ESG fund to offer low-interest loans for suppliers' capital investment and environmental management.
Support in technology and talent development is equally robust. The DS division is running a joint-investment technology development program worth 50 billion won with the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, and has provided free consulting solutions to 299 companies through its "Materials, Parts and Equipment Eye-Level Consulting" initiative. Through the Co-Prosperity Academy, Samsung has produced some 105,000 graduates, contributing to talent cultivation across the supply chain.
Meanwhile, Samsung Electronics is raising expectations for first-quarter earnings as explosive demand for AI memory is compounded by favorable foreign exchange effects from a strong dollar. Many analysts initially forecast first-quarter operating profit at around 40 trillion won, but global investment banks Citi and Meritz Securities recently projected 51 trillion won and 54 trillion won respectively, drawing worldwide investor attention to the Q1 results set to be announced on April 7.
