Samsung Announces Major Executive Reshuffle and Technological Advances
On November 27, 2024, Samsung Electronics revealed a significant reshuffling of its executive leadership team for 2025, aiming to strengthen its competitive edge across key business areas. The changes involve organizational restructuring, departmental management adjustments, and new leadership appointments across its divisions, including foundry and memory businesses.
On November 27, 2024, Samsung Electronics revealed a significant reshuffling of its executive leadership team for 2025, aiming to strengthen its competitive edge across key business areas. The changes involve organizational restructuring, departmental management adjustments, and new leadership appointments across its divisions, including foundry and memory businesses.
Organizational and Departmental Changes
Samsung introduced a series of structural and management adjustments, including:
- Direct Leadership of Memory Business: The memory division will now report directly to the CEO.
- Foundry Leadership Revamp: A new leader has been appointed for the foundry business, and business lines have been restructured.
- New Foundry CTO Role: A president-level CTO position has been created within the Foundry division.
- DS Division Leadership Changes: A management strategy president role has been established within the Device Solutions (DS) division, with the DS head appointed as CEO to oversee individual business units.
- Quality Innovation Committee: A new Quality Innovation Committee, led by the DX division head, aims to drive fundamental innovation in product quality.
Key Leadership Appointments
The personnel changes include:
- Young Hyun Jun: Previously EVP and head of the DS division, Young Hyun Jun has been promoted to CEO while retaining leadership of the memory business and Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology.
- Jinman Han: Former EVP of the DS division, Jinman Han has been elevated to lead the Foundry division.
- Seok Woo Nam: Former FAB Engineering & Operations head, Seok Woo Nam will now serve as the Foundry division CTO.
- Yong Kwan Kim: Previously EVP of the Business Support TF department, Yong Kwan Kim has been appointed DS division Management Strategy President.
- Wonjin Lee: Former executive advisor, Wonjin Lee has been assigned as head of the Global Marketing Office.
- Hark Kyu Park: Previously Samsung’s CFO, Hark Kyu Park will take on leadership of the Business Support TF department.
- Jong-hee Han: Serving as Vice President, Jong-hee Han has been named Chairman of the newly formed Quality Innovation Committee.
Samsung plans to finalize and announce additional executive-level appointments, including roles below vice president, in the coming weeks.
Technological Breakthrough in 3D NAND Production
In addition to leadership changes, Samsung has achieved a significant breakthrough in 3D NAND flash memory production. By precisely controlling coating machine speeds (RPM) and optimizing the post-coating etching process, the company has reduced photoresist (PR) consumption by half. Previously, 7-8cc of PR was needed per layer, but the optimized process now requires only 4-4.5cc.
Samsung has also adopted thicker KrF photoresists, which enable the formation of multiple layers in a single process, improving efficiency. This innovation will be implemented in Samsung’s 9th-generation 3D NAND, boosting production efficiency while saving the company billions of KRW annually.
Looking Ahead
With these strategic leadership appointments and technological advancements, Samsung Electronics aims to solidify its position as a leader in memory and foundry technologies while enhancing operational efficiency and product quality. As the company gears up for 2025, it continues to innovate and adapt to the evolving semiconductor landscape.
