A collection of smaller investors have requested that Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix include their major funding initiatives on the topics to be discussed during stockholder gatherings.
On July 2, the Korea Shareholders' Movement Headquarters said, "Samsung and SK unveiled an overall investment strategy worth 4,755 trillion South Korean won, focusing on semiconductors, hardware artificial intelligence, and AI data centers," and questioned, "Where were the shareholders—who are the actual owners of the company—at the time this crucial decision was taken?" They added, "The CEO was present, as was the chairperson, along with the minister; however, the five million shareholders who supply funding for the company and eventually take on its risks, plus the 50 million individual investors who effectively own these top corporations via the National Pension Service, were not there." Previously, the government organized a "National Conference on Korea's Major Initiative: Three Big Projects" at the Cheong Wa Dae State Guest House on June 29 to reveal the firms' investment strategies. The organization claimed that a "shareholder briefing session" should have occurred before this gathering.
They demanded that companies inform shareholders about how the investment strategy would affect future dividend capabilities and shareholder return strategies. The head office recommended, "Conduct an official shareholders' meeting similar to the national reporting session and clearly outline the effects of this multi-trillion won investment. Avoid leaving such crucial decisions—determining the majority of the company's future cash flows over several years—to just board approval. Rather, determine shareholders' preferences by voting during the shareholders' gathering." They additionally encouraged shareholders to engage in conversations with the government regarding profit allocation.
Previously, the largest labor union within Samsung Electronics, known as the Samsung Electronics section of the Early Enterprise Union, suggested establishing a three-party consultation committee involving labor, management, and government for major projects on July 1.