Lee Jae-yong, Chairman of Samsung Electronics, Departed for Washington D.C.

Lee Jae-yong, Chairman of Samsung Electronics, has departed for Washington D.C.

According to industry sources on the 29th, he left for Washington through Gimpo International Airport in the afternoon. The purpose of his visit to Washington has not been disclosed; however, it is interpreted as an effort to support the South Korean government's tariff negotiations with the United States.

This is the first confirmed external schedule since Lee received a 'not guilty' verdict from the Supreme Court on the 17th.

With only three days left until the implementation of mutual tariffs in the U.S., it is expected that he will serve as a significant 'negotiation card' for the South Korean government.

Currently, Samsung Electronics operates a foundry factory in Austin, Texas, and has decided to invest over $37 billion (approximately 54 trillion KRW) to establish a semiconductor production base in the U.S. by 2030.

Notably, just the day before, Samsung Electronics signed a foundry supply contract worth 22.8 trillion KRW with Tesla, agreeing to produce Tesla's next-generation AI chip 'AI6' starting next year. Industry analysts suggest that Lee's departure could positively affect Korea-U.S. negotiations.

Image source: Lee Jae-yong, Chairman of Samsung Electronics / Photo = Insight