Apple Recalls First-Generation iPod Nano in South Korea

The Korea Herald reports that Apple has agreed to recall first-generation iPod nanos sold in South Korea following four reports of the device's batteries overheating or exploding. The recall comes several weeks after a request from the Korean government after which Apple initially offered to replace only those units found to be defective, but continuing pressure ultimately led to a full recall of the 155,000 units sold between October 2005 and December 2006.

With a series of media reports following the report of The Korea Herald, Apple said it would replace the batteries and shells of its first-generation iPod Nano with new ones.

"Customers who are concerned about possible overheating of the battery can get it exchanged," Park In-kyu, an official with the Korea Agency for Technology & Standards, told The Korea Herald, citing a document sent by Apple Korea on July 7.

The Korean recall follows similar complaints in Japan that ultimately resulted in Apple offering to replace overheating first-generation iPod nanos there last August.

Update: In a statement to The Loop, Apple denies any specific recall or change in its policies. As detailed in a support article, Apple has recognized since last summer the possibility for overheating batteries in the first-generation iPod nano and has addressed the issue with customers on a case-by-case basis.

"There has been no change to this policy in Korea or anywhere else, and as always, any customer who is concerned about the battery in their first generation iPod nano should contact AppleCare," reads Apple's statement.