Photo : YONHAP News
The National Assembly passed a bill stipulating the country’s deadly humidifier disinfectant case as a disaster and recognizing state responsibility regarding the sale of the harmful products for 17 years that affected nearly six-thousand victims.
The revisions to the Special Act on Remedy for Damages Caused by Humidifier Disinfectants were approved on Thursday with 179 out of 181 lawmakers in attendance voting in favor, and two abstentions.
Under the bill, the environment dispute resolution and compensation committee under the climate, energy and environment ministry would be expanded and transferred under the prime minister.
Starting the second half of the year, the victims will be directly compensated through a relief fund, established with government contributions and corporate share of expenses.
In 2024, the court partially recognized state responsibility regarding multiple foreign and domestic companies’ sale of humidifier disinfectants containing toxic ingredients between 1994 and 2011.
As of February 28, five-thousand-971 people have either died or suffered life-long injuries from using the products.