Victims' Group of Humidifier Disinfectant Disaster Urges "Self-Dissolution of Arbitration Committee That Has Lost Authority and Qualification"

Victim Side Emphasizes SK's Significant Responsibility... Agrees to Propose Appropriate Compensation and Reparation Ratios

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Gong Byung-sun] Victim groups of the humidifier disinfectant disaster have united in their call to disband the Humidifier Disinfectant Disaster Mediation Committee (Mediation Committee), which they say is failing to fulfill its role.

At around 11 a.m. on the 13th, victim groups of the humidifier disinfectant disaster held a press conference in front of the Kyobo Life Building in Gwanghwamun, Seoul, demanding that the Mediation Committee, which grants impunity to the perpetrator companies and the government for dereliction of duty, be voluntarily dissolved. About 30 people participated in the press conference.

They criticized the Mediation Committee for losing its mediation ability, authority, and qualifications. Song Un-hak, Standing Representative of the Reform Solidarity People's Action, said, “The Minister of Environment, representatives of civic groups, and victim group leaders who led the launch of the Mediation Committee must officially apologize,” and added, “The Mediation Committee should be immediately disbanded.”

They also lamented that the Mediation Committee failed to represent the victims. Park Hye-jung, Representative of the Emergency Countermeasures Committee for Victims of the Humidifier Disinfectant Disaster, stated, “Only a very small number of victims requested mediation from beginning to end,” and claimed, “The Ministry of Environment and others who led and participated in the formation of the Mediation Committee pressured victims as if there was no option other than mediation, without seeking ways to win civil and criminal lawsuits.”

They emphasized that SK’s responsibility among the perpetrator companies is also significant. Kim Sun-hong, Standing Chairman of Global Econet, said, “SK bears great responsibility for the environmental disaster because it sold products under its own brand without toxicity and safety testing,” and added, “We cannot accept a mediation plan that makes SK Chemical, the raw material company, bear 150 billion won.” They announced that they will soon reveal a joint position on the appropriate compensation and reimbursement ratios that SK, other companies, and the government should bear.

Going forward, victim groups plan to appeal to President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol for recovery of damages. Standing Representative Song said, “We will soon hold a ‘Special Press Conference for Relief of Victims of the Humidifier Disinfectant Disaster’ near the Ministry of National Defense building, where the Presidential Transition Committee office in Tongui-dong, Seoul, or the President’s office will be established.”

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