A SOUTH Korean fired by Samsung reportedly for trying to form a trade union has ended an almost year-long protest after the firm apologised.

Kim Yong Hee lived for 354 days atop an 80-foot-high traffic camera tower in Seoul with a banner bearing Samsung’s logo and a protest slogan.

Mr Kim was escorted down today by a firefighter after billionaire Samsung heir Lee Jae Yong, who is currently on trial on corruption charges, promised to end what he admitted were “decades” of union-busting activities by the tech giant.

Samsung also apologised personally to Mr Kim, saying it should have done more to address his “pain and agony” at “conflicts with the company.”

It did not specifically admit that he was sacked for trying to unionise colleagues as he maintains, and it is unclear if it has come to an agreement with him on reinstatement or compensation.