[Exclusive] SACHAMWI to Recommend President Yoon Seok-yeol Apologize for Humidifier Disinfectant Disaster

The government must directly listen to victims' opinions
Term of the Special Committee on Truth and Reconciliation members ends on the 10th

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Gong Byung-sun] The Special Investigation Commission on Social Disasters (SICSD) has decided to recommend that President Yoon Seok-yeol apologize regarding the humidifier disinfectant disaster. The terms of the SICSD members related to the humidifier disinfectant disaster will end on the 10th, and the commission's activities will conclude on September 10.

According to the SICSD on the 2nd, the recommendation in the comprehensive report on the humidifier disinfectant disaster includes recognizing the government's responsibility and implementing comprehensive compensation for the victims at the government level. If President Yoon accepts the recommendation, it will be the first official apology from the current administration to the victims of the humidifier disinfectant disaster.

An SICSD official stated, "The recommendation includes a broad call for an apology from the current president and the implementation of comprehensive compensation," adding, "Although the details have not been finalized, the members will vote to approve it." The finalized recommendation will be published in the form of a report on September 10.

It is also known that the report contains a provision that the government must directly listen to the victims' opinions. Until now, the humidifier disinfectant disaster has been mediated through an adjustment committee to reconcile opinions between victims and companies, but the victims have insisted that the government take responsibility and reflect the victims' views. The SICSD's recommendation is analyzed to reflect this claim.

However, it is uncertain whether President Yoon will apologize as outlined in the SICSD report. The SICSD report is only a recommendation, and the president is not obligated to apologize or listen to the victims' opinions. Furthermore, since the SICSD members' terms end on the 10th, the commission's influence will inevitably diminish.

Previously, former President Moon Jae-in officially apologized to the victims of the humidifier disinfectant disaster in 2017. Subsequently, the SICSD was officially launched on December 11, 2018, under the "Special Act on the Investigation of Social Disasters and the Construction of a Safe Society" (Special Act on Social Disasters) and investigated the humidifier disinfectant disaster.

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