At an annual shareholders' meeting, LG Electronics CEO Ryu Jae-cheol announced the company's commitment to significantly advance its robot business this year, aiming to leverage robotics as a new growth area amidst the increasing competition from low-cost Chinese appliance manufacturers. Despite the ongoing challenges, he emphasized the importance of swiftly executing detailed strategies in robotics, which includes designing and producing key components like actuators in-house to supply globally recognized robot makers. This strategic pivot reflects a broader ambition to reshape LG's market positioning as it faces competitive pressures.

Earlier this year, LG Electronics showcased its actuator brand, ‘LG Actuator Axiom’, at the CES 2026, emphasizing its focus on developing advanced robotics solutions. Ryu highlighted LG's strategic investments, including a stake in Chinese robotics firm AgiBot, and his visit to its Shanghai headquarters, reinforcing LG's intent to collaborate and innovate in robotics. He also specified four key areas for strategic growth: robotics, AI data center cooling solutions, smart factories, and AI home technology, signaling that LG aims to not only enhance its product lines but also expand into B2B opportunities with large tech firms.

Despite LG's forward-looking strategies, shareholders raised concerns regarding the company's stock performance, noting it has been underperforming compared to its peers. Ryu acknowledged these concerns and committed to working harder to improve shareholder value. Additionally, in the subsequent board meeting, Kang Soo-jin was appointed as the first independent board chair sourced from conduct on the board, which is expected to enhance governance and oversight, representing a significant step towards strengthening the independence of the board in steering the company’s future initiatives.