April 26, 2024

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[THE INVESTOR] A local business lobby said on April 15 the possible disclosure of Samsung Electronics’ workplace environmental assessment report should be limited so as to protect sensitive trade secrets.

Former workers suffering from illnesses have been demanding the South Korean tech giant to publicly disclose the chemicals used in its chip and display productions.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy plans to convene a panel meeting of semiconductor experts on April 16 to determine whether the report includes key national technologies that need to be protected.

“Any secrets related to companies’ management and operation should be protected,” the Korea Employers Federation said in a statement.

The KEF said although it is necessary to reveal information regarding potential hazards for workers, other details, including the structure and distribution of facilities, or the name of chemical products, should be kept secret as rivals can take advantage of such data.

The KEF added that South Korean law stipulates that chip and display technologies should be protected, claiming the leakage of related information can result in massive losses for the country’s economy.

By Song Seung-hyun and newswires (ssh@heraldcorp.com)