Samsung Electronics has become the first to succeed at developing 16Gb NAND flash memory, which it did using its 50-nanometer manufacturing technology. That can also be used to develop 32Gb flash memory, which would allow a name card-sized memory card to hold 8,000 MP3 music files and 200 years worth of newspaper articles. The development of large capacity memory suggests the "digital paper age," to use CEO Hwang Chang Gyu's expression, is not that far off. They say flash memory, being lighter and smaller than hard drives, will eventually replace them. The economic effect will be tremendous since by 2010 the same technological development will create a US$30 billion market by 2010.
What Samsung Electronics deserves special praise for is that it has doubled memory capacity every year for the last six years, instead of making just one or two accomplishments, and carries on the Samsung legend in the global semi-conductor market. The news is even more precious for coming at a time when there is growing pessimism about the question of what the Korean economy is going to live off of in the future. It gives you reason for hope that the future of the Korean economy will not be entirely bleak if other conglomerates are encouraged to develop and invest in technology. It is the result of passion and sweat spent by the company's business professionals and research experts. We spare no applause.
We know it is not proper to bring up ugly issues amidst excitement over something good that has happened, but this is why it is so unfortunate that there is a dark side to the Samsung Group. The difficulties of the subcontractors who have to deal with pressure to cut their unit prices take away much from the significance of this achievement. Samsung's pre-modern management structure and scandals, like the illegal campaign donations, that go away only to be followed by newer scandals as soon as the older ones are forgotten continue to be factors that devalue the accomplishments. Those who work for Samsung will have to work even harder at making sure the group comes to be a global company that is on the inside what it what it looks like because of its performance.
The Hankyoreh, 14 September 2005.
[Translations by Seoul Selection (PMS)]
[Editorial] Samsung Electronics' Latest Achievement |
