Samsung Chip Workers Vote on Bonuses; Shareholders Sue to Block Payout

Samsung Electronics' approximately 89,000 union members began formal ratification voting on the government-brokered wage deal that averted a major strike. The agreement — a 6.2% salary increase and a 10.5% profit-linked bonus for the semiconductor division — faced immediate legal challenges as a group of Samsung shareholders filed a lawsuit seeking to block the bonus payout, arguing the formula would improperly distribute profits. Industry analysts estimated the deal would cost Samsung approximately 400 billion won in bonus obligations for the semiconductor division alone. The ratification vote was expected to run through late May.