Samsung executive rallies factory workers in Gumi

Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong visited one of the company’s Korean plants affected by the new coronavirus on Tuesday and encouraged employees there to overcome the crisis.

Lee inspected the smartphone plant in the southeastern city of Gumi, North Gyeongsang, and spoke with production line workers there.

“I want to thank all the people here who are doing their jobs on the front line, despite a difficult situation,” Lee said. “The company will do its best to protect your health and safety.”

Samsung has so far reported four virus-infected workers at its production sites in Gumi, about 50 kilometers (31 miles) north of Daegu, where more than 70 percent of the country’s new coronavirus infections have been reported.

The world’s largest smartphone maker had to shut down its Gumi smartphone production line for days recently after workers tested positive for Covid-19, the coronavirus.

Samsung also reported an infected worker at its foundry factory in Yongin, Gyeonggi, last week, but said it hasn’t affected its chip production.

Samsung said Lee will not put himself into self-quarantine after his visit to Gumi, noting that the plant had completed disinfection work and that he had not met with any employees who are suspected of having contracted the virus.

Yonhap