After learning about the allegations in the IPEN report, we immediately compared them with the most recent findings of third-party audits of our factories in Vietnam. We have noticed that many of the allegations raised in the report do not seem to correspond to the overall findings of the audit reports. In order to further verify the allegations and analyze the discrepancies between the allegations and the audit findings, we have established an internal task force to look more closely into and address the concerns expressed in the report.

We have also begun working with external human rights advisors to build internal capacity and to identify any human rights impacts of our operations with a view to addressing areas where we find improvements are needed.

Together with many of my colleagues on the task force and our recently engaged external human rights advisors, I visited two of our production sites in Vietnam in mid-April in order to obtain a common view of the working conditions and engage in constructive discussions with our local management.

On occupational safety issues, which require health and safety expertise, the Samsung Institute of Safety and Environment (“SISE”) conducted a special internal audit at the beginning of this year. Following an initial assessment, the SISE is running a more in-depth analysis involving third-party experts from a renowned medical institution in Korea. In this letter, I attach our responses to your questions and appendices that are based on the outcome of these efforts...