SOUTH Korea electronics giant Samsung apologised to microchip factory workers who had suffered cancers linked to chemical exposure today and promised compensation.

Samsung insisted the apology did not mean it agreed there was a link between the chemicals used in its factories and cancer.

The company’s statement was an abrupt shift in Samsung’s stance however.

For the past few years, the firm has resisted calls to apologise. 

Samsung also backed a government compensation agency in legal battles over the agency’s refusal to pay compensation to workers.

Samsung vice chairman Kwon Oh-hyun said the company would no longer be involved in the lawsuits.

Mr Kwon also said: “We feel regret that a solution for this delicate matter has not been found in a timely manner and we would like to use this opportunity to express our sincerest apology.”

Opposition MP Sim Sang-jeung urged the government and Samsung in April to come up with measures to help victims.