Samsung announced the “biggest” investment in history

This is the largest investment in the history of the Korean corporation. Samsung chose chip design, chip manufacturing and biotechnology as the three pillars of future growth. Investment scale increased by 30% compared to the previous 5 years. Of these, 360 trillion won will go to South Korea.

The “jewel” of Samsung Electronics will use the new capital to strengthen its research capacity and introduce more sophisticated technologies in chip design and chip manufacturing. The company is currently the world’s second-largest chip contractor, after TSMC. They plan to reveal plans for mass production of 3nm chips in the first half of this year.

Additionally, Samsung will develop next-generation chips for supercomputers, robotics and other artificial intelligence use cases, from HD image sensors to low-power application processors. As for the DRAM chip division, where Samsung has been the world leader for the past three decades, the company will expand the application of the ultraviolet lithography (EUV) process to improve the production of modern chips. Samsung started manufacturing 14nm memory chips using EUV in October 2021. The technology will replace today’s argon fluoride lithography, helping Samsung continue to take the lead over Chinese and American rivals.

Samsung is also looking to accelerate the development of 6G, a generation of mobile networks that is believed to be 50 times faster than the theoretical 5G standard.

Samsung’s plan will create a total of 1 million jobs at Samsung as well as other manufacturers. Samsung itself plans to hire about 80,000 employees over the next five years.

Samsung announced the investment in the context of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and supply chain disruptions caused by the US-China trade war. During his first visit to South Korea in his term, US President Joe Biden chose Samsung Electronics’ chip production line in Gyeonggi. Accompanying him was Samsung Electronics Vice President Lee Jae Yong.

Mr. Lee is still on trial for his role in the controversial merger between Samsung C&T and Cheil Industries. According to experts, it is not surprising that businesses draw up investment plans. However, Samsung’s plan is still considered extraordinary because of its large scale and faster arrival than expected given adverse conditions such as supply chain disruptions and a falling stock market. Normally, businesses will not announce investments during uncertain times, said Park Ju Gun, CEO of business information company Leaders Index. It shows the determination of the business in overcoming adversity.