Korea probes into iPhone 12 after sales ban in France

Apple's iPhone 12s [APPLE KOREA]

The Korean government has initiated an investigation into Apple’s iPhone 12 upon news that France suspended sales of the smartphone after they were found to emit more radiation than the permitted level.

The Korean Ministry of Science and ICT said Sunday it will look into the issue in order to resolve public anxiety.

“All smartphones retailed in Korea, including the iPhone 12, have qualified for the global standard related to radiation safety and have been certified,” the ministry said in a statement Sunday.

“However, in order to resolve public anxiety, we requested that Apple report on the issue and will have four variations of the iPhone 12 model go under deliberate inspection and have the results made public.”

If the radiation emitted exceeds the permitted level set by the Korean government, the iPhone 12, 12 Pro, 12 Mini and 12 Pro Max, may face import and retail ban, the ministry said.

The iPhone 12, Apple’s first 5G smartphone launched in 2020, was recently found by France’s National Frequency Agency to emit 5.74 watts per kilogram (W/kg) of electromagnetic radiation when the permitted level set by the European Union is 4.0 W/kg.

The agency asked the California-based tech giant to take corrective measures on the affected phones that have already been sold, while suspending sales of new 2020 models.

Responding that it had complied with the standard, Apple said Friday it will roll out software updates for the French users of the iPhone 12.

The EU regulation for specific absorption rate (SAR) is set at 4 W/kg for limbs and 2 for the head and torso. Apple's iPhone 12 model did not pass the standard set for limbs.

In Korea, the limit is set at 4 W/kg for limbs and 1.6 for the head and torso.

In Korea, the iPhone 12 is not officially sold by Apple Korea, but is available for purchase on e-commerce platforms like Coupang and 11st.
The iPhone 12 is the first case to be reassessed of its radiation emission by Korea's Science Ministry, the ministry said.

BY JIN EUN-SOO [jin.eunsoo@joongang.co.kr]