South Korea’s Korea Workers’ Compensation and Welfare Service received three industrial-accident compensation claims involving people with work histories at SK hynix’s Icheon plant on October 7, 2026. The claims concerned lymphoma, breast cancer and a brain tumor; the agency was to investigate whether the illnesses were work-related before deciding on the claims.
The illnesses and work histories described
The claim descriptions paired each illness with a different job history at the plant:
| Illness named in the claim | Reported work history |
| Lymphoma | Ion-implantation operator |
| Breast cancer | Chemical-analysis work |
| Brain tumor | R&D work involving soldering semiconductor chips |
The breast-cancer claim concerned Yoon Young-mi, a former SK hynix employee. Her husband, Kim Yong-il, asked the agency to recognize her illness as work-related.
SHARPS’s nickel allegation and SK hynix’s response
Lee Sang-soo, an activist with Supporters for the Health and Rights of People in the Semiconductor Industry (SHARPS), alleged that nickel and nickel compounds appeared on SK hynix’s prohibited-chemicals list while still being used. He said the allegation was based on data SK hynix submitted to South Korea’s environment ministry.
SK hynix said it was cooperating with government inquiries and taking measures to assess disease occurrence. The company also said it had developed a comprehensive support and compensation plan.
The agency’s investigation
A representative of the Korea Workers’ Compensation and Welfare Service said an epidemiological investigation was necessary before a decision. That kind of investigation examines patterns of illness to assess possible links with workplace conditions. The representative estimated that a decision could take around a year, without giving a fixed timetable.
