Tens of thousands of Samsung Electronics workers rallied at a sprawling factory complex south of Seoul on Thursday, venting their anger over compensation levels ahead of a planned lengthy strike that could disrupt AI chip production.

Union organisers and police put ?the number of protesters at 40,000, making the demonstration the largest to date for Samsung, which has long been known for its union-busting ?tactics but saw ?workers walk out for the first time in 2024.

Should their demands not be met, they plan ?to strike for 18 days from May 21. That could delay shipments to customers, push up chip prices further and benefit rivals.