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| Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong visits ASML's headquarters in Eindhoven, Netherlands, in October 2020, and inspects EUV equipment with Kim Ki-nam, the then-Vice Chairman of Samsung Electronics DS Division. From left, ASML CTO Martin van den Brink, Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong, former Vice Chairman Kim Ki-nam and ASML CEO Peter Wennink. Yonhap |
By Kim Hyun-bin
Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong is expected to travel to Europe for business purposes during the Lunar New Year holiday to enhance cooperation in the semiconductor business as well as pursue possible M&A opportunities.
There are reports that Lee is preparing to leave for such a trip this weekend during the Lunar New Year holidays. There had been observations that he would visit Europe at the end of last year, but the trip was put on hold due to the rapid spread of the Omicron variant.
If the vice chairman's Europe trip becomes a reality, system semiconductors are expected to become its main focus, as Samsung Electronics has vowed to become the global leader in the sector by 2030.
The company has been expanding its production capabilities at its Pyeongtaek plant and U.S. plant located in Texas.
During his last European trip in October 2020, Lee visited ASML's headquarters in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, and met with CEO Peter Wennink and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Martin van den Brink to discuss cooperation plans.
Back then, Lee opened the door for Samsung Electronics to secure reservations for extreme ultraviolet (EUV) equipment. He is expected to take on the same role this time around as well.
The demand for EUV has skyrocketed after it started to be implemented in DRAM manufacturing, which is a reason behind Intel's announcement that it will re-enter the foundry market, as the competition to secure EUV equipment is growing fiercer.
There is also the possibility that Lee could discuss large-scale M&As in Europe.
"There will be good (M&A) results soon," Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Han Jong-hee hinted on the opening day of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas on January 5. "We are looking at quite a lot (of firms), with a lot of possibilities."
Samsung Electronics' cash holdings exceed more than 100 trillion won, and analog semiconductor companies, such as NXP in the Netherlands, Infineon Technologies in Germany and STMicroelectronics in Switzerland, are constantly being mentioned as possible M&A candidates.
In addition, the fact that Vice Chairman Han headed to Europe right after CES seems to be adding weight to Lee's possible trip to Europe this weekend.
"There is no clear schedule known for the vice chairman for the Lunar New Year holidays," a Samsung Group spokesperson said.
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