South Korea's Samsung and SK Hynix Employees Receive Performance Bonuses Totaling Hundreds of Millions of Korean Won, Splurging on Homes, Watches, and Luxury Cars

**SEOUL, South Korea — June 17 (Chosun Ilbo report) —** Soaring performance bonuses for employees at Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix have fueled a massive surge in home buying demand in South Korea, driving up prices of some apartments by 100 million to 200 million South Korean won (roughly $75,000 to $150,000 USD), per local media. High-end import car dealerships have also seen a flood of customers from semiconductor firms. A sales representative surnamed Choi at a Seoul lot in Paldang-gu district said, “Lately, the number of customers who look like Samsung employees has spiked—most are in their 30s and 40s. Among regulars using our partner company discount programs, nine out of ten are from semiconductor companies.” As peak shopping season approaches, major department stores are reaping the benefits. A Shinsegae Department Store branch in Paldang-gu will launch a Samsung-exclusive event starting June 23, offering perks like fast-track access to luxury boutiques, parking vouchers, and restaurant discounts. Last month, one Seoul Shinsegae location saw sales jump 16.2% year-over-year: jewelry sales rose 120%, while watch sales climbed 60%. Hyundai Department Store’s Banpo branch grew 44.7%, and Lotte Department Store’s Yeongdeungpo branch posted a 30% sales increase for the same period. Hanseong University economics professor Kim Sang-bong noted that chip workers earning hundreds of millions of won in bonuses are also using internal company loans to buy homes. He predicted this trend could trigger a chain reaction of increased spending on high-end durable goods, such as premium TVs and home appliances.