Samsung Electronics will fully support the payment for in-house foreign language conversation exam fees for employees in the institutional sector. This initiative aims to enhance employees' language skills and cultivate them as global talents, as Lee Jae-Yong, the chairman of Samsung Electronics, has emphasized the importance of studying foreign languages.
According to industry sources on 1st, Samsung Electronics announced that it will fully support the exam fees for seven foreign language conversation tests, including Korean, English, Vietnamese, Russian (OPIc), Chinese (TSC), and Japanese (SJPT), for all employees in the institutional sector twice a year. This support was communicated on 28th of last month.
Starting in June, those interested can apply through the in-house conversation evaluation site. However, if the number of supported attempts exceeds the limit or if there is a no-show, the exam fee will be deducted from their salary.
Samsung Electronics has been operating tests such as OPIc, TSC, and SJPT, which are recognized externally, in-house. This approach offers the advantage of lower exam fees compared to external rates and quicker access to exam results.
Although the evaluations conducted in-house cannot be recognized by external scores, they will be automatically reflected in internal language qualifications and can be utilized for future evaluations related to performance reviews, promotions, or expatriate applications.
The support for exam fees this time is interpreted as an intention to spread and strengthen global capabilities, which the chairman considers important, among employees.
In February 2023, the chairman met with new employees in the video display (VD) division in Suwon Digital City and remarked, "I regret not studying foreign languages more," adding, "I study English and Japanese, but I’m trying hard not to forget them. I wish I had studied Chinese and French as well."
He also emphasized, "Learning a foreign language is about learning the thought process, values, and history of that country, so I hope you all study foreign languages more."
To strengthen global competitiveness, the chairman has also recently taken proactive steps to recruit external talent. In August 2023, Samsung introduced a hiring system for foreign talent wishing to work in Korea for the first time, and in February, it conducted recruitment for foreign experienced employees in the R&D sector.
Last month, they recruited Mauro Porcini, a world-renowned industrial designer, as the first foreign design president.
In March, during a seminar for executives, the chairman stated through a video message, "We must cultivate and bring in exceptional talent who are better than the executives, regardless of nationality or gender," adding, "If necessary, we should frequently conduct personnel changes."