A man tries out Samsung Electronics' new Galaxy 5 smartphone at the company's headquarters in Seoul April 7, 2014. Samsung Electronics Co Ltd is expected to report its second straight quarter of profit decline as its high-end smartphone business loses steam, a trend likely to sharpen the firm's focus on costs and the cheaper phone market. Picture taken on April 7, 2014. REUTERS/Kim Hong-ji (SOUTH KOREA - Tags: BUSINESS) - RTR3KBYN (REUTERS/Kim Hong-ji)
SEOUL, South Korea – Samsung Electronics Co. says it has suspended business ties with a Chinese supplier that allegedly hired children.
The South Korean company said in its blog Monday that it had found possible evidence of child labor and illegal hiring at Dongguan Shinyang Electronics Co.
Samsung said last week it would urgently look at the Chinese supplier following a New York-based watchdog's report that it hired children.
China Labor Watch said children worked at Shinyang for three to six months to meet production targets during a period of high demand. The report came after Samsung said its audit found no child labor at hundreds of Chinese suppliers.
Samsung said Chinese authorities are investigating the case and if the investigation finds child labor, Samsung will permanently stop its business with Shinyang.
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