Samsung and other South Korean tech giants prepare to return to Russia, reports say
Illustrative photo: Samsung may return to Russia (Getty Images)
The largest companies in South Korea have already begun preparing to return to the Russian market amid negotiations on ending Russia’s war against Ukraine, reports The Korea Times.
According to the media, it is about Hyundai, Samsung, and LG. The companies are accelerating preparations and assessing the feasibility of resuming business in Russia.
LG Electronics
Sources of The Korea Times say that LG Electronics is taking the fastest steps. The company has likely already partially resumed operations at its home appliance manufacturing plant in Moscow.
An unnamed LG representative explained that the company supposedly wants to prevent the degradation of production facilities that have been idle since the start of the full-scale war. Production is being carried out using the plant’s warehouse stock. Before the war, the Moscow plant manufactured washing machines and refrigerators.
Hyundai Motor Group
Hyundai Motor Group may also be considering returning to Russia. Before the full-scale war, Hyundai and Kia were among the most popular car brands in Russia. However, the company sold its plant in St. Petersburg in December 2023 for 10,000 rubles ($120) with a buyback option within two years. Accordingly, Hyundai Motor Group must decide whether to return to Russia by the end of 2025.
"No decision has been made, and the company is closely monitoring the progress of the situation," an official company representative told The Korea Times.
Meanwhile, Hyundai Motor's subsidiaries — Kia, Hyundai Mobis, and Hyundai Steel — recently posted job openings in Russia.
Samsung
Samsung Electronics is also likely considering the feasibility of returning to Russia.
The company suspended operations at its Kaluga plant in 2022. The facility used to produce about 1 million TVs, monitors, and washing machines annually. However, Samsung continued to have a presence in Russia through parallel imports (the import of goods into the country without the manufacturer's permission).
In February, Russian media reported that Samsung had increased its marketing expenses in Russia by nearly a third in early 2025 compared to the previous year.
In February, Russian leader Vladimir Putin ordered his subordinates to prepare for the return of Western companies to the Russian market.
