Driven by an AI infrastructure boom that has transformed memory chips into an exceptionally lucrative market, Bloomberg projects Samsung’s 2026 operating profits will surge sevenfold to 330 trillion won (c. €189bn; £162bn).

Under the proposed terms, the technology giant will allocate 12 per cent of these profits to chip employees – comprising 10.5 per cent in stock and 1.5 per cent in cash – over a rolling 10-year period, provided specific financial targets are met.

Individual workers in the semiconductor division are anticipated to receive average payouts ranging between 513 million won (c. €293,600; £250,000) and 600 million won (c. €343,000; £294,000) in early 2027, with the equity portion subject to a two-year phased vesting schedule.

This lucrative settlement mirrors a similar ten-year, 10 per cent profit-sharing agreement reached by domestic rival SK Hynix last September.

The extraordinary financial rewards have dramatically intensified competition for South Korean technology roles and are already shifting worker behaviour, with some staff reportedly sacrificing overseas corporate training opportunities to maintain bonus eligibility.