[2024 National Audit] Radiation Exposure: Injury or Disease? Samsung "Will Seek Legal Interpretation"

Science and Technology Committee Questions Radiation Exposure Incident at Giheung Plant
Lee Hoon-ki: "Did the Nuclear Safety and Samsung Collude?"
Nuclear Safety Commission: "No Reason to Favor Samsung... Not a Violation of Regulations"

At the National Assembly audit by the Science, Technology, Information and Communication Committee on the 10th, questions continued regarding the incident in May where two workers at Samsung Electronics' Giheung plant were exposed to radiation. When asked by a committee member whether the radiation exposure was classified as a disease or an injury, Samsung Electronics responded that they would seek a legal interpretation. Whether radiation exposure is considered a disease or an injury could significantly affect whether the incident is recognized as a major disaster in the future.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

At the audit held at the National Assembly that day, Lee Haemin of the Innovation Party asked Yoon Taeyang, Vice President and Chief Safety Officer of Samsung Electronics, "Is the accident caused by radiation exposure a burn, an injury, or a disease?" Vice President Yoon replied, "There has been intense internal debate on this matter," and added, "Basically, we will definitely proceed with treatment, compensation, and measures to prevent recurrence for the affected workers." In response, Choi Minhee, chairperson of the Science and ICT Committee and member of the Democratic Party, criticized Vice President Yoon for not providing a proper answer and demanded a more specific response. Vice President Yoon explained, "There have been various opinions regarding whether it is a disease or an injury," and said, "We will seek an interpretation of the relevant laws on this matter."

According to an opinion letter from the law firm Yulchon, which represents Samsung Electronics and was disclosed by Democratic Party lawmaker Lee Yongwoo, Samsung has stated that the radiation exposure incident should be classified as a 'disease' rather than an 'injury,' and therefore legally does not constitute a major disaster. The National Samsung Electronics Labor Union criticized Samsung in a statement, saying, "Despite workers continuously suffering from the serious accident of radiation exposure, Samsung Electronics is only eager to evade responsibility."

Democratic Party lawmaker Lee Hoonki raised suspicions that the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (NSSC) may have been lenient toward Samsung Electronics regarding the Giheung plant radiation exposure incident. Lee said, "The workers have been exposed to radiation causing DNA structural changes, and we do not know what the consequences will be," and pointed out, "The recent NSSC report concluded that it is difficult to see Samsung as having violated reporting and initial response regulations." He added, "In my view, this is just Samsung being favored. To put it more bluntly, it seems like Samsung and the NSSC colluded." NSSC Commissioner Yoo Gukhee drew a clear line, stating, "There is absolutely no reason for us to favor Samsung, and we are not doing so." He explained that the conclusion was reached simply because Samsung took actions as specified in the regulations.

When Lee pointed out that the victim wasted time going to Ajou University Hospital, where radiation treatment was not available, Commissioner Yoo replied, "That is not something I can answer." Lee then criticized the fact that the victim had to call the Nuclear Hospital directly to receive confirmation that treatment was possible and then moved there, calling it "absurd." Commissioner Yoo maintained a fundamental stance, saying, "The reason it is difficult to view this situation as a violation of reporting regulations is because the rule applies 'when radiation exposure is confirmed.'"

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.