South Korean authorities have opened a case against Samsung after finding that two employees of one of the tech giant’s factories were exposed to X-rays. The two hospitalized patients have “abnormal” symptoms on their fingers, the South Korean Nuclear Safety Commission (NSSC) said in a statement.
In a statement, Samsung said that two employees at its semiconductor manufacturing plant in Gyeheung were accidentally exposed to X-rays on their hands.
“These people are currently undergoing follow-up examinations at the hospital, and Samsung fully supports their treatment and recovery. The company will cooperate with all relevant authorities and ensure that recurrences are prevented,” Samsung said.
The Samsung plant in Gyeongtaek is located about 40 km south of the South Korean capital Seoul. Authorities said they had suspended the use of the machine that caused the incident. The exact cause of the exposure is currently unknown, as the Nuclear Safety Commission is conducting an investigation. The Commission stated that it would take further action if any violations of security laws were confirmed.
This is not the first time Samsung employees have been exposed to radiation. The South Korean government has linked the cancer that claimed the life of one of the company’s former employees in 2012 to radiation and chemical exposure during her work at one of its plants. The company apologized to the employees who contracted cancer at its plants and in 2015 set up a compensation fund for them and the families of the deceased.
