Lee Jae-yong Holds Surprise Luncheon with Japanese House of Councillors Delegation, Discusses Semiconductor and AI Cooperation

Meeting with Visiting Delegation in Seoul on the 14th

"Chairman Lee Responded Seriously to Questions on Semiconductors and Talent Development"

Lee Jae-yong, Chairman of Samsung Electronics, held a luncheon meeting with a delegation from the Japanese House of Councillors who were visiting Korea and discussed prospects for the semiconductor industry as well as ways to enhance cooperation with Japan.

Samsung Electronics Chairman Jay Y. Lee (left) and President Kim Wonkyeong of Samsung Electronics Global Public Affairs (GPA) Office are having lunch with a delegation from Japan's House of Councillors on the 14th in Seoul. Photo capture of Chairman Daisaku Hiraki

According to business and diplomatic sources on the 16th, Chairman Lee attended a luncheon on the 14th with the Japanese House of Councillors delegation during their visit to Korea. The meeting was initially planned as a gathering between Samsung Electronics executives and the vice chairmen of the House of Councillors, but it was noted that Chairman Lee made an unannounced appearance.

Kim Won-kyung, President of the Samsung Electronics Global Public Affairs (GPA) Office, who oversees external cooperation and global public affairs, was also present at the luncheon. Having previously served at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, President Kim is in charge of managing Samsung Electronics’ overseas networks and external cooperation work. The delegation from the House of Councillors included Daisaku Hiraki, Parliamentary Affairs Committee Chairman of the Komeito; Tetsuro Fukuyama, Vice Speaker of the House of Councillors; Takanori Kawai, Secretary-General of the Democratic Party for the People; Mizuho Umemura, Deputy Secretary-General of the Japan Innovation Party; and Koichi Mizushima, Japanese Ambassador to Korea.

Chairman Hiraki shared through his X (formerly Twitter) account, “The most surprising thing about the lunch with Samsung Electronics was the unexpected attendance of Chairman Lee. We inquired about prospects for the AI semiconductor business, Samsung’s strategic response, cooperative efforts with Japan, and talent development plans, and Chairman Lee responded seriously and sincerely to each question.”

Industry observers have highlighted that this meeting coincided with the opening on September 8 of Samsung Electronics' Advanced Package Lab (APL) in Yokohama, Japan, a cutting-edge R&D hub with an investment of 40 billion yen (approximately KRW 350 billion). As Chairman Lee deepens engagement with key figures in Japan’s political and business circles, there is an analysis that Samsung will seek to create next-generation AI semiconductor synergy by combining Japan’s advanced semiconductor materials and equipment with Samsung Electronics’ manufacturing and design capabilities.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.