Samsung Electronics has issued an apology to former employees stricken by leukaemia and other forms of cancer, as the company reportedly prepares a Google Glass competitor.
According to a Korean Times report, Samsung Electronics vice chairman Oh-hyun Kwon issued a statement to apologising for former employees of its chip production plants who have been diagnosed with, or died from, cancer.
In December 2012, a South Korean court found the company responsible for the death of a former employee – identified as “Kim” – who worked at one of its plants between 1995 and 2000.
The woman died following a three-year battle with breast cancer, with the court finding a causal connection between her exposure to organic solvents and radiation at the factory and her illness, with the company coming under increasing scrutiny as a result.
The tech giant says it will drop all outstanding lawsuits against the families of victims and will organise a compensation fund, with the apology coming as Samsung Group chairman reportedly remains under sedation following a heart attack.
The news overshadowed reports in Business Korea suggesting the tech giant is currently working on a competitor to Google Glass – dubbed “Gear Glass” – which is set to run the company’s Tizen operating system.
The company is reportedly planning to unveil the new device during a keynote speech during the IFA trade show in Berlin, which will run from September 5 to 10.
Andrew Sadauskas is a former journalist at SmartCompany and a former editor of TechCompany.
