The Samsung Electronics union announces a large-scale strike, involving 48,000 employees, due to the failure of negotiations regarding the distribution of profits generated by artificial intelligence.

Samsung Electronics is facing the largest strike in its history, which will begin on Thursday, after negotiations with management have failed.

The union estimates that 48,000 of the 125,000 employees will participate in the strike, demanding a 7% salary increase and the allocation of 15% of operational profit for bonuses. This move comes against the backdrop of the company's record profits, which have multiplied its net profit sixfold in the first quarter of 2026, reaching 27 billion euros. The strike, which will last 18 days, is motivated by the large disparities between employees in various departments.

Samsung has stated that the union's demands are unacceptable and that accepting them would undermine the company's management.

The South Korean government has threatened intervention, citing the negative economic impact of the strike, considering that Samsung represents a significant part of the country's GDP.