[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The prosecution has secured materials indicating that SK Chemicals recognized the potential harmfulness of its products before the 'humidifier disinfectant incident' occurred.
According to the legal community on the 13th, the prosecution recently obtained reports written by the SK Chemicals research team in 2003.
This was additionally discovered during the analysis of a vast amount of seized materials after the prosecution indicted SK Chemicals executives last July.
The report reportedly contains requests to replace chloromethylisothiazolinone (CMIT) and methylisothiazolinone (MIT), the raw materials of 'Humidifier Mate' manufactured and sold by SK Chemicals.
This could serve as evidence that SK Chemicals executives recognized the potential harmfulness of the humidifier disinfectant but neglected proper verification.
The prosecution plans to submit this report as evidence in the trial of former SK Chemicals CEO Hong Ji-ho and others, currently underway under the Criminal Division 23 of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Yoo Young-geun).
However, former CEO Hong and other SK Chemicals officials oppose the use of this material as evidence in the ongoing trial, citing unclear sources, drawing attention to the court's decision.
Former CEO Hong and others were indicted on charges including professional negligence causing death due to failure to properly verify the safety of products such as 'Humidifier Mate,' which resulted in casualties.
They claim in court that they were not aware of any harmful effects on humans during the sales process of the humidifier disinfectant.
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