Lee, vice chairman of Samsung Electronics, returned to the business front and called for a meeting of semiconductors and device solutions (DS) cadres, urging them to maintain a substantial lead over their rivals. It was also the first tour of the factory after Li Zairong was out of prison to motivate staff morale.

According to South Korean media ET News and Digital Times, Samsung Electronics Vice President Lee met with South Korean Vice Premier and Minister of Planning and Finance Kim Tung-tak a few days ago, and immediately held a meeting of DS Department cadres in Huacheng plant area. After the meeting, he inspected the development and production line of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) to cheer up the staff on the spot.

The DS Department cadre meeting was attended by Minister Jin Qinan, Memory Minister Qin Jiaoying, Wafer OEM Minister Zheng Yinsheng, System LSI Minister Jiang Renye and Semiconductor Research Institute Director Jiang Hugui. Li emphasized that if we want to dominate industry 4.0 and prepare for the future semiconductor market demand in advance, we must take a big technological lead over our competitors, and never forget to innovate and accept challenges.

Li told employees during a visit to the Semiconductor Research Institute's EUV R&D line that Samsung Electronics has been a top memory manufacturer for more than 20 years, encouraging employees not to be afraid of failure, but to take up the challenge.

Lee Jae-ho was imprisoned in 2017 in connection with the political scandal of former South Korean President Park Kyung-hye, and was released on parole in February 2018. He has not made a public trip since he was released from prison. Until the last three months have visited foreign countries five times, this time by meeting with the Vice Premier of South Korea, convened a DS Department meeting, was formally returned to the operational front.

On the other hand, Samsung Electronics EUV production line started in Huacheng in 2018 is scheduled to be completed in the second half of 2019, and will start production in 2020. It is believed that Samsung will maintain its technological superiority in the semiconductor field with an advanced process under 7 nm.

The Korean industry believes that if South Korea's semiconductor industry does not accelerate development, the future will be like LCD panel will be surpassed by the mainland, so Lee will emphasize the importance of maintaining a large technological gap. In addition to investing 30 trillion won ($26.7 billion) in equipment on the 2nd floor of the Pingze plant, Samsung will also invest in wafer OEMs.

In addition, Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things, and self-driving components are also the areas Lee is locked in. Recently Li has visited Europe, Japan and the mainland one after another, and has discussed with many manufacturers the cooperation plan for the manufacture of automotive components and smart phones.

Next, Lee may expand his partnership with Harman in semiconductor, telecommunications and household appliances, and promote more acquisition strategies related to the automobile and AI markets. However, the negative impact of Li's involvement in the political scandal has not been completely eliminated, and trying to restore confidence in Samsung is also a problem that Li needs to solve.