Prime Minister Kim Min-seok said on Thursday, January 15, 2026, that the government will implement thorough measures to bolster safety rules on chemical goods, citing the long-running consumer goods disaster over toxic humidifier disinfectant. He emphasized that ensuring the safety and health of the people is the government's top policy priority.
On January 15, 2026, during a policy coordination meeting with related ministers at the Government Complex Seoul, Prime Minister Kim Min-seok announced plans to strengthen safety regulations on chemical products. He stated, "As we learned from the tragedy of humidifier disinfectant, there must be no blind spots in not only preventing incidents involving chemical products but also in responding after the incident."
The humidifier disinfectant issue began in 2011 when consumers reported deaths and illnesses allegedly tied to the widely used household products during dry winters. A government-led investigation later confirmed the link, with over 5,000 people formally recognized as victims.
Kim also discussed the outlook for Korean industries, stressing the importance of promoting artificial intelligence, biotech, cultural content, defense, and energy. He noted that South Korea achieved $700 billion in exports last year thanks to the "K-brand" boom but warned that the current environment leaves little room for complacency. Last year, Korea's exports reached an all-time high of $709.7 billion, driven by strong performances in key items like semiconductors, automobiles, and ships, as well as growth in smaller sectors including agro-fisheries and cosmetics.
These measures reflect the government's commitment to enhancing consumer protection based on lessons from past disasters.
