[2020 National Audit] Fair Trade Commission Chairman Apologizes to Humidifier Disinfectant Victims

Joseonguk "Fair Trade Commission applied the law very passively"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] Cho Sung-wook, Chairman of the Fair Trade Commission (FTC), apologized to the victims, stating that the FTC had been passive in handling the humidifier disinfectant incident in the past.

On the 8th, Chairman Cho, appearing as a witness at the National Assembly's Political Affairs Committee's FTC audit, said to Lee Kwang-hee, co-representative of the humidifier disinfectant child victims' group, "I am sorry" and "I want to express my heartfelt sympathy and consolation."

Chairman Cho said, "As the person responsible for consumer safety, I apologize for this incident," and added, "I believe the FTC should have taken a more proactive approach in 2016."

He continued, "At that time, the FTC applied the law very passively. There were aspects where the law should have been interpreted more actively from the perspective of safety and life."

In 2016, the FTC effectively decided not to indict regarding the humidifier disinfectant incident, and the following year, formed an external expert task force (TF) to re-investigate the handling process.

Chairman Cho said, "In 2017, the TF approached the matter reflectively and proposed re-investigating the previous small committee's resolution, leading to a re-deliberation," and added, "We filed charges against the related companies regarding this matter."

Lee, the co-representative who appeared as a witness, said, "So far, if high-ranking officials were at fault, they should be punished, but no one has taken responsibility," and added, "We filed complaints and charges to hold those directly responsible for the victims' suffering."

Gwon Eun-hee, a member of the People's Party, pointed out, "Due to the FTC's mistake in delaying the judgment of corporate illegality, the damage spread and worsened."

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