President Lee Jae-myung apologized on Wednesday, December 24, to victims of toxic humidifier disinfectants, declaring the case a 'social disaster.' The government announced comprehensive measures for compensation and support, vowing to review the entire system to prevent such tragedies from recurring.
President Lee Jae-myung issued an apology on December 24 via a Facebook post to victims of toxic humidifier disinfectants, which have been linked to thousands of deaths and illnesses. Sales of these sterilizers were halted in 2011 after health authorities linked them to lung diseases. A special law enacted in 2017 provided for victim compensation, with 5,942 people officially recognized as victims as of last month.
"It was too late," Lee said, extending condolences and comfort to the victims and their families. This follows a 2017 apology by then-President Moon Jae-in and comes after the government unveiled comprehensive compensation and support measures earlier that day. Last year, a court for the first time acknowledged the state's liability to compensate victims or their bereaved families.
The case drew widespread attention after four pregnant women died from unexplained lung disease in 2011. "It is hard to fathom how unjust and devastating it must have been to live in a reality where no one was held accountable," Lee stated. He pledged to "fundamentally review the entire system and management framework to ensure that a tragedy like this never happens again," underscoring the state's duty to protect citizens' lives and safety.
The apology signals a push for stronger national accountability and expanded victim support.
