Maximum Compensation for Humidifier Disinfectant Damage Raised to 170 Million KRW... Family Support Fund Increased to 100 Million KRW

Passage of the "Humidifier Disinfectant Damage Relief Special Act Enforcement Decree" at the Cabinet Meeting on the 15th
Establishment of Disability Benefit Payment Standards and Strengthening of Victim Relief and Support... Effective on the 25th

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[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] The special condolence payment for the bereaved families of victims who died due to humidifier disinfectant damage will be increased from the existing 40 million KRW to 100 million KRW. In addition, after diseases caused by humidifier disinfectant damage are cured, a lump sum payment of up to 172 million KRW can be received depending on the degree of disability.

The Ministry of Environment announced that the amendment to the "Enforcement Decree of the Special Act on Relief for Humidifier Disinfectant Damage," which strengthens relief and support for victims of humidifier disinfectant damage, was approved at the Cabinet meeting on the 15th and will be promulgated on the 25th and immediately enforced.

Since the enactment of the Special Act in August 2017, the number of support recipients has increased more than tenfold from 280 to 2,946 as of August this year, and the amount of support has expanded from 4.2 billion KRW to 55.2 billion KRW.

With this amendment to the enforcement decree, victim relief and support will be strengthened through ▲reorganization of investigation and judgment systems ▲establishment of disability benefit payment standards ▲increase of special condolence payments and nursing living allowances to address various health damages.

First, to provide relief for various health damages beyond the previously recognized diseases such as lung disease and asthma, the investigation and judgment system has been reorganized.

The Ministry of Environment plans to abolish the existing disease-specific health damage recognition criteria and determine whether a person is a victim of humidifier disinfectant damage through individual reviews that comprehensively examine personal medical records according to standards announced by the Minister.

However, if direct damage can be confirmed using health insurance claim data, a prompt review will be conducted to provide relief quickly.

Accordingly, people who were not previously eligible for relief under current law will now be recognized as victims and receive government support if diseases have occurred or worsened due to exposure to humidifier disinfectants or if their overall health condition has deteriorated.

Support for victims will also be strengthened by expanding relief benefit payments.

The special condolence payment for the bereaved families of victims who died from health damage caused by humidifier disinfectants will be increased from about 40 million KRW to 100 million KRW.

This increase comprehensively considers the level of damages for illegal profit-making acts, the supplementary nature of the relief law, and fairness with precedent cases. Even those who received the special condolence payment before the amendment will receive the increased difference additionally.

The classification of damage grades for nursing living allowance payments will be subdivided (from 3 levels to 5 levels), and the payment amount will be increased by about 1.2 times, so those classified as ultra-severe damage will receive about 1.705 million KRW monthly.

Long-distance outpatient transportation costs such as KTX (Korea Train Express) and express bus fares, as well as ambulance fees for emergency treatment of ultra-severe, severe, and moderate damage victims, will also be supported through the nursing living allowance.

Payment standards for disability benefits will be newly established, providing a lump sum payment of up to 172 million KRW depending on the degree of residual disability after diseases caused by humidifier disinfectant health damage are cured.

To ensure victims receive stable support over a long period, the effective support period has been extended from the existing 5 years to 10 years regardless of disease type. If it is judged that the health damage is unlikely to improve before the expiration of the effective period, victims can undergo re-examination to renew the effective period.

Additionally, the Ministry of Environment will provide legal consultation such as lawyer advice for victims preparing lawsuits against the responsible companies. A common guidebook on preparation and procedures for litigation will also be produced.

For victims with moderate or higher damage grades who have physical difficulties, regular telephone counseling will be conducted, and customized guidance will be provided to help them receive support effectively.

The Humidifier Disinfectant Damage Comprehensive Support Center will operate a call center to make inquiries and counseling more convenient and efficient for victims. Communication with victims will be strengthened by regularly holding online (non-face-to-face) meetings for all victims.

Hamina, Director of Environmental Health Policy at the Ministry of Environment, said, "This amended enforcement decree is the result of efforts to reflect victims' opinions through multiple consultations with related agencies and stakeholder meetings."

She added, "We will promptly provide relief and maximum support to victims in line with the enforcement on the 25th, improve the support system to communicate better with victims, and be a government that stands by the victims."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.