三星，面临重大考验

Core Viewpoint - The recent acquittal of Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-Yong from charges of improper mergers and accounting fraud marks a significant turning point for the company, potentially allowing it to restore normal operations after a decade of legal challenges [1][2][3]. Group 1: Leadership and Organizational Changes - Samsung Electronics has experienced a leadership vacuum since 2016, leading to a significant shift in its organizational culture and decision-making processes [2]. - The dissolution of the Future Strategy Office has resulted in a more conservative operational model, prioritizing financial stability over innovation and aggressive investment in new technologies [2][3]. - The absence of decisive leadership has fostered a bureaucratic culture, hindering the company's ability to respond swiftly to global market trends and diminishing its competitive edge [2][3]. Group 2: Strategic Challenges and Opportunities - Samsung's technological competitiveness has suffered over the past decade, particularly in the semiconductor sector, where it has fallen behind competitors like SK Hynix and Micron in the AI storage market [2][3]. - There is a growing consensus that Samsung must resume large-scale mergers and acquisitions to strengthen its core semiconductor business and adapt to the complexities of the AI semiconductor era [3]. - The company is criticized for its reliance on internal R&D and a closed strategy, which may impede its ability to form necessary partnerships and alliances in the evolving market landscape [3]. Group 3: Future Directions and Recommendations - Analysts suggest that Lee Jae-Yong's leadership will be tested as he seeks to restore the group's operational control and make bold decisions on unresolved issues [3]. - A fundamental reform of the organizational structure is recommended to overcome current crises, emphasizing the need for a culture of trust and accountability similar to that of previous leadership eras [3].