Samsung on Saturday selected 17 experts in seven core technology fields, including manufacturing technology, equipment, quality, infrastructure, moulds, procurement and measurement, as its "2026 Samsung Master Craftsmen".

By affiliate, the selections include 12 from Samsung Electronics, 2 from Samsung Display, 1 from Samsung SDI, 1 from Samsung Electro-Mechanics and 1 from Samsung Heavy Industries, the largest number on record. Samsung created the master craftsman programme in 2019 and selected 4 people in its first year. It picked 4 in 2020, 9 in 2021, 11 in 2022, 11 in 2023, 15 in 2024 and 15 in 2025.

The programme certifies employees as the company’s top in-house experts by selecting people who have worked in the field for more than 20 years and have craftsman-level proficiency and know-how. It initially focused on manufacturing areas such as manufacturing technology, moulds and quality. More recently, it has also selected experts in procurement and environment and safety. First introduced at Samsung Electronics in 2019, the programme spread to Samsung Electro-Mechanics in 2020, Samsung Display and Samsung SDI in 2021, and Samsung Heavy Industries in 2025.

This year had the biggest number of selections, and the most affiliates producing master craftsmen at 5. Samsung has selected a total of 86 master craftsmen so far. Through the programme, it is preventing the loss of key technical talent and training the next generation. The company provides personnel benefits to employees selected as master craftsmen, including encouragement payments, master craftsman allowances and priority selection for the "Samsung Senior Track" that allows continued employment after the retirement age.

At Samsung Electronics’ DX division, 7 were selected as master craftsmen. Master craftsman Sanghoon Lee, 55, is a specialist in materials processing, surface treatment and optics needed to manufacture core mobile components. He secured new processes and technologies for key components, including adjustment and inspection of non-crystallised optical systems for wearable components, glass coating processing and introduction of SiP (System in Package). Master craftsman Sangsik Kim, 53, is a manufacturing technology expert for telecommunications base station products. He led process innovation from 2G to 5G and drove system setup and dissemination of new technologies across production bases in and outside South Korea, including China and Vietnam. Master craftsman Seongcheol Seo, 56, developed the industry’s first 32 Cavity Multi mould for mobile lens moulds, improving mould cost efficiency and internalisation.

At Samsung Electronics’ DS division, 5 were selected as master craftsmen. Master craftsman Minjae Na, 53, is an expert in securing mass-production capability for the etch process. He led equipment improvement tasks for HARC and achieved the maximum production targets for major products including V5 and D1z. Master craftsman Dongwoo Lee, 53, is a CMP equipment expert. He led the first development and mass production of domestically made CMP equipment.

Samsung Display selected 2 master craftsmen: Seok Gi, 52, and Dongyoung Lee, 53. Samsung SDI selected 1, Byeonghee Ahn, 55. Samsung Electro-Mechanics’ master craftsman Gwangsu Kim, 55, and Samsung Heavy Industries’ master craftsman Jaechang Lee, 56, were also selected as master craftsmen.

Samsung plans to focus on fostering top-level technical experts while continuing to sponsor the International Vocational Training Competition and the National Skills Competition to contribute to strengthening the country’s industrial ecosystem.