Samsung shifts production of smartphones from South Korea to Vietnam

Samsung announced earlier today that the company has temporarily closed its smartphone factory in Gumi, South Korea. The company did that because its staff was testing positive for the virus. After the sixth case in as many days, the company decided to temporarily close the factory. Now, Samsung says that it will temporarily transfer some of its smartphone production tasks from South Korea to Vietnam.

This is not the first time that Samsung is closing its smartphone factory in Gumi City. The plant is responsible for the production of Samsung’s flagship smartphones, the Galaxy S20 series, and Z Flip. Thus, this factory can not be shut for long. However, the South Korean manufacturer now has an alternative plan in case it will have to extend the closure. 

Samsung said in a statement today: “The transfer of some high-end smartphone production to Vietnam is aimed at supplying products to consumers in a more efficient, stable and timely manner. Once the epidemic situation stabilizes, this part of the production will move back to the Gumi Plant. “

Over the past decade, Samsung has shifted most of its smartphone production to Vietnam. Currently, more than 50% of Samsung’s mobile phones are produced in Vietnam,. The Gumi plant accounts for only a small part of Samsung’s total production – just the latest flagships.