On July 20, 2026, South Korean media Korea Economic Daily reported that "the amount of support Samsung has provided, fulfilling its promise to return the fruits of its semiconductor business's unprecedented boom to society, has reached 1 trillion won (approximately 109.9 billion yen) in about one month.

According to the industry, Samsung has decided to contribute a total of 200 billion won to the Samsung Miso Finance Foundation to expand inclusive finance. Samsung Electronics will bear 150 billion won, and financial affiliates such as Samsung Life, Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance, Samsung Card, and Samsung Securities will jointly contribute the remaining 50 billion won.

According to the article, these funds will be used for business operating funds, startup funds, and emergency living expenses for people in financially difficult situations and micro-entrepreneurs. Loans will be provided without collateral or guarantors, and interest rates will be set at 4.5% or less per annum. Samsung expects approximately 40,000 people to receive support.

From the 8th of last month to the 5th of this month, Samsung held the "Samsung Electronics Gratitude Festival with the People." Customers who purchased Samsung products at a total of approximately 1,000 stores, including about 400 Samsung Stores nationwide, electronics retailers, large supermarkets, and major online shopping malls, received 20% of their purchase amount back in the form of digital gift certificates.

The total rebate amount is estimated to be over 800 billion won, and based on the 20% rebate system, product sales during the period are estimated to have reached approximately 4 trillion won. In addition, customers such as South Korean military personnel, police officers, firefighters, and correctional officers received benefits equivalent to a total of 30%. The reason for using digital gift certificates instead of product discounts is said to be to ensure that the benefits extend to small businesses in the market and local communities.

The starting point for this large-scale support was the labor-management agreement reached at the end of May. Immediately after the agreement, Samsung Electronics stated, "We will create a 5 trillion won fund over the next five years to invest in coexistence, building a sound industrial ecosystem, and nurturing future talent," and "We want Samsung's growth and achievements to circulate positively not only among employees but throughout society." This Gratitude Festival and the contribution to the financial foundation are efforts to put this promise into action.

In response to this article, South Korean netizens commented, "It's like a charity," "Companies don't need to directly return profits to the public," "It should be used for investment for the future," and "Korea exists because of Samsung, so let's keep the returns to that extent and use it for investment and development."

Furthermore, critical comments were also seen, such as "This is not the time to give huge sums to labor unions," "Samsung really has a labor union problem," and "Is (Samsung Electronics Chairman) Lee Jae-yong planning to become a politician?" (Translation/Editing by Mae)