South Korea Labor Ministry Denies Sending Samsung, SK Hynix Letter to Scrap Bonus Agreements

Posts on semiconductor excess-profit sharing lack any basis

Ministry says it will respond forcefully to malicious circulation, including criminal complaints

South Korea’s Ministry of Employment and Labor said online allegations that the government sent Samsung Electronics Co. and SK Hynix Inc. an official letter demanding the scrapping of bonus agreements are false.

The ministry said July 1 that posts circulating online about a “semiconductor excess-profit sharing system” and the “scrapping of bonus agreements” are entirely baseless and untrue.

Posts had spread earlier on anonymous employee forums and other online communities claiming the government sent official notices to Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. The posts alleged the companies were told to fully review existing bonus agreements and devise compensation and distribution systems from next year to align with a government-led excess-profit sharing policy.

The ministry denied sending any such letter. It added that it plans to respond forcefully if such false posts are maliciously circulated in the future, including by reporting them to investigative authorities.

Separately, the ministry plans to hold a discussion forum this month on topics including semiconductor profit distribution. The agenda and timing are still being coordinated.

Lee Jung-woo, Hankyung.com reporter krse9059@hankyung.com