Samsung memory workers get $400,000 bonus while DX staff receive only $4,000

Samsung faces an escalating internal labor dispute that has disrupted operations across its semiconductor and device divisions in South Korea.

Memory unit workers receive roughly $400,000 bonuses while DX division staff get approximately $4,000

Memory unit workers stand to receive bonuses of roughly 600 million won, which equals approximately 400,000 US dollars. Workers in the DX division will only get about 6 million won, or around 4,000 US dollars.

The massive pay gap has triggered significant backlash from non-memory staff. A union representing DX employees filed a court injunction to prevent the larger chip-focused union from handling collective bargaining on their behalf.

Internal resentment is causing intentional slowdowns in packaging operations and halting major decisions on AI chip projects. The disruption affects Test and Package divisions, which could impact HBM4 production for Nvidia's Rubin AI accelerators.

The Korea Shareholder Action Headquarters has threatened legal action over the bonus structure. Sources indicate that decision-making on major projects has come to a complete halt as inter-departmental conflict intensifies.