By Yi Whan-woo
Samsung Electronics admitted for the first time that it caused an industrial-related disease in a former female employee suffering from thrombocytopenia and anemia, a government official said.
The Ministry of Labor said Tuesday the world’s top electronics firm admitted the working environment of its microchips plant caused the 37-year-old woman to become sick after working there for about four years.
The woman worked in the microchip factory until 1999 when she showed symptoms of thrombocytopenia and anemia and could not work any longer.
Samsung said that her symptoms developed, possibly due to exposure to toxic chemicals such as benzene and formaldehyde used at the plant.
The admission was made after the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency concluded in its investigation that the worker developed the disease because of occupational hazards. The Korea Workers’ Compensation and Welfare Service accepted the agency’s conclusion.