Labor Protests Disrupt Samsung Chipset Production by 58%

Chipset production at the site fell by 58% during the disruption, while memory production declined by 18%.

The protest took place at Samsung’s factory complex in Pyeongtaek, south of Seoul, on April 23 and April 24.

Many workers did not report for the overnight shift, which runs from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Like most semiconductor facilities, the plant operates continuously across three shifts each day.

The report said workers represented by a union were demanding higher wages. Specific details on how the dispute was handled or whether an agreement was reached were not immediately clear.

Even short interruptions can affect semiconductor manufacturing because production schedules often operate on strict timelines and within tightly managed supply chains.

The report said the protest had been expected to continue longer, though it remains unclear whether operations fully normalized afterward.

Any prolonged disruption at major Samsung facilities could draw attention across the global chip market, given the company’s large role in memory and contract semiconductor production.