Learn Korean: Samsung's Strike Threatens Chip Production

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Korean Reading Practice

삼성전자, 노조 집회날 파운드리 생산 58% 급락… 파...

Date: April 27, 2026

Introduction

This lesson explores a significant event in South Korea's technology sector involving Samsung Electronics and labor union activities. The article discusses how production disruptions and strike threats have raised concerns among global tech companies about semiconductor supply chain stability. Understanding this topic provides insight into the intersection of Korean labor relations, industrial production, and global technology markets.

Vocabulary

Korean Romanization Meaning Example
노조 nojo labor union 노조가 파업을 계획했어요.The labor union planned a strike.
파업 paeop strike (work stoppage) 파업으로 생산이 줄었어요.Production decreased due to the strike.
반도체 bandoche semiconductor 삼성은 반도체를 만들어요.Samsung manufactures semiconductors.
급락 geupnak sharp decline 생산량이 급락했어요.Production volume dropped sharply.
공급 gonggeup supply 반도체 공급이 중요해요.Semiconductor supply is important.
글로벌 geullobal global 글로벌 회사들이 걱정해요.Global companies are worried.
신뢰도 sinnoedo credibility; trustworthiness 회사의 신뢰도가 떨어졌어요.The company's credibility decreased.
집회 jiphoe gathering; assembly 노조 집회에 많은 사람이 왔어요.Many people attended the union gathering.
성과급 seonggwageup performance bonus 직원들이 성과급을 받아요.Employees receive performance bonuses.
차질 chajil disruption; obstacle 공급에 차질이 생겼어요.There was a disruption in supply.
우려 uryeo concern; worry 파업에 대한 우려가 커져요.Concerns about the strike are growing.
강행 ganghaeng forceful proceeding; carrying out despite opposition 파업을 강행할 수 있어요.They might proceed with the strike despite opposition.

Reading Text

삼성전자의 반도체 공장에서 생산량이 크게 떨어졌어요.

Samsung Electronics' semiconductor factory experienced a significant production decline.

노조 집회가 있던 날에 생산이 58% 줄어들었다고 알려졌어요.

It was reported that production dropped 58% on the day of the union gathering.

이런 소식을 들은 세계의 큰 기술 회사들이 삼성에 반도체를 충분히 받을 수 있을지 물어보고 있어요.

After hearing this news, major global technology companies are asking Samsung whether they can receive enough semiconductors.

삼성전자 노조는 5월 21일부터 6월 7일까지 거의 3주 동안 파업을 할 계획이라고 발표했어요.

Samsung Electronics' labor union announced plans to strike for nearly three weeks, from May 21 to June 7.

스마트폰, 컴퓨터, 자동차 같은 제품들이 모두 삼성 반도체가 필요하기 때문에 파업이 되면 많은 회사들이 영향을 받을 거예요.

Since products like smartphones, computers, and cars all need Samsung semiconductors, many companies will be affected if a strike occurs.

이런 상황에서 반도체 가격이 더 올라갈 수도 있다는 게 문제예요.

The problem is that semiconductor prices might increase even more in this situation.

사측은 노조 집회에 4만 명이 모인 것을 보고 파업이 정말 일어날 수도 있다고 생각하게 되었어요.

Management saw 40,000 people gather at the union assembly and came to believe that a strike might actually happen.

Grammar Points

-기 때문에 because of

Attaches to a verb stem to express reason or cause: 'because of ~ing / because ~'. Formation: verb stem + -기 때문에.

📖 스마트폰, 컴퓨터, 자동차 같은 제품들이 모두 삼성 반도체가 필요하기 때문에 파업이 되면 많은 회사들이 영향을 받을 거예요. Because products like smartphones, computers, and cars all need Samsung semiconductors, if there is a strike, many companies will be affected.

✏️ 오늘 비가 오기 때문에 우산을 가져가세요. Because it is raining today, please take an umbrella.

-게 되다 come to / end up

Attaches to a verb stem to express that a situation comes about or one ends up doing something, often due to external circumstances. Formation: verb stem + -게 되다.

📖 사측은 노조 집회에 4만 명이 모인 것을 보고 파업이 정말 일어날 수도 있다고 생각하게 되었어요. After seeing 40,000 people gather at the union rally, management came to think that a strike could really happen.

✏️ 한국에서 살다 보니 한국어를 잘하게 되었어요. After living in Korea, I came to speak Korean well.

Cultural Notes

Labor unions have played a significant role in South Korea's modern history, particularly in the manufacturing and technology sectors. Samsung Electronics, as one of the world's largest semiconductor producers, is a critical player in global supply chains, making labor disputes at the company a matter of international economic concern. Understanding Korean labor relations is important because South Korea has a strong tradition of worker activism and collective bargaining, which reflects the country's rapid industrialization and the workers' desire for fair treatment and compensation in highly competitive industries.

Source: 네이버 뉴스 | Original Article
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📝 Comprehension Questions

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Q1

By what percentage did Samsung Electronics' semiconductor production decline on the day of the union gathering?

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Q2

What are the dates of the planned strike announced by the labor union?

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Q3

Name three types of products that depend on Samsung semiconductors according to the text.

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Q4

Why are global technology companies contacting Samsung about semiconductor supply?

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Q5

How many people attended the union gathering that concerned management?

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