Samsung to invest $82B in chips, AI as union warns strike
· UPIMarch 19 (Asia Today) -- Samsung Electronics said Thursday it will invest more than 110 trillion won (about $82 billion) this year in capital expenditures and research and development, marking its largest annual investment as it seeks to lead in artificial intelligence semiconductors.
The investment plan was disclosed as part of the company's 2026 corporate value enhancement strategy, which focuses on restructuring its business toward AI, advanced semiconductors and robotics to secure long-term growth.
Samsung also signaled plans for sizable mergers and acquisitions in robotics, following its 2.6 trillion won (about $1.9 billion) acquisition of advanced driver-assistance technology from Germany's ZF Friedrichshafen last year.
The company said it will continue shareholder return programs, pledging to allocate 50% of free cash flow over the next three years. For 2026, regular dividends are expected to total about 9.8 trillion won (roughly $7.3 billion), with additional returns possible if surplus funds remain.
Between 2024 and 2025, Samsung paid 20.9 trillion won (about $15.5 billion) in dividends and repurchased 8.4 trillion won (about $6.2 billion) in shares.
However, labor tensions pose a potential risk. A union representing Samsung workers has warned of a strike in May and plans to stage a protest near the residence of Chairman Lee Jae-yong.
A strike could disrupt semiconductor production and weigh on investor confidence, analysts said, as the company ramps up investment during a critical period of industry competition.
-- Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI
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Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260319010006048