Samsung Finally Says “Sorry” to the Workers Who Got Sick
Who’s in the Picture?
Last Friday in Seoul, two big‑shot names sat down for a settlement: the father of a 22‑year‑old fallen worker and Samsung’s co‑president Kim Ki‑nam. The other side of the bargain? A handful of ex‑employees who had to hang up their hard hats and deal with chronic illnesses.
Kim’s Apology
“We sincerely apologize to the workers who suffered from illness and their families,” Kim said. “We have failed to properly manage health risks at our semiconductor and LCD factories.” He sounded like a high‑school teacher who finally caught up with a homework deadline.
Background—The Big Picture
S‑Samsung, powerhouse of phones and chips, runs sprawling production sites in Suwon, Hwaseong, Pyeongtaek and even Xian in China.
What Went Wrong?
Campaign groups claim about 240 people tackled work‑related illnesses while at Samsung, and roughly 80—most of them young, hardworking women—have tragically passed on.
What the Settlement Covers
- Up to 150 million won (about S$182,000) per claim.
- All 16 major cancers, oddly enough.
- Other rare ailments, hardships like miscarriages and congenital conditions that spanned the workers’ children.
- Claims can trace back to jobs as far back as 1984.
History of the Scandal
“The issue popped up in 2007 when ex‑employees and families reported cancer diagnoses and deaths at semiconductor and display plants in Suwon,” the story says. From that point, the case sprinted through courts, a labor agency, and a mediation committee over a decade. The final “drop the mic” came this Friday.
Talking to the Family’s Voice
Hwang Sang‑ki—who signed the deal for the workers—gazed at reporters.
“I’m glad I kept the promise to my daughter, who died of leukaemia in 2007, to prove Samsung was at fault,” Hwang said. “But the apology alone is not enough for their families. No amount of words can erase the insult, the pain, or losing someone. I’ll never forget the hurt we experienced.”
Behind the Curtain—Trade Secrets
S‑Samsung is tight‑lipped about what chemicals run its production lines, calling that info a “trade secret.” Those feeling rough feel uneasy, with the government looking to force the firm to spill the beans. They say prevention tops compensation—did someone get a cautionary sign long enough?
Why It Matters
S‑Samsung helped turn South Korea into the 11th‑largest economy, but its massive influence has been sweating under a cloud of resentment. Lee Jae‑yong, the man behind the scenes, once bribed Park Geun‑hye, got a one‑year sentence before the verdict got overturned. Meanwhile, industrial injury is a national crisis in a country known for fancy tech.
Other Recent Tragedies
- Two subcontractors died in a CO₂ leak at Samsung’s Suwon plant just two months ago.
- Four workers suffocated from a gas leak at Posco’s steel plant in Pohang in January.
So, the apology came with a hefty check and a promise – not as much as every family hoped for, but a step toward the healing they all seek.
