[Asia Economy Reporter Gong Byung-sun] The Social Disaster Special Investigation Committee (SDSIC), established to investigate the humidifier disinfectant disaster and the April 16 Sewol ferry disaster, will conclude its activities on the 10th.
On the 9th, SDSIC announced that it would officially end its activities on the 10th, following the publication of the comprehensive report on the 2nd. After ending its investigation activities on June 10, SDSIC spent three months preparing the comprehensive report and a white paper. The publications consist of a total of eight volumes: seven volumes of the comprehensive report and one volume of the white paper.
Through the report, SDSIC pointed out that both the companies that manufactured the humidifier disinfectants and the government responsible for oversight bear responsibility. The report stated that the companies producing the humidifier disinfectants released products without properly conducting safety reviews despite being aware of the potential harm to people. Furthermore, it revealed that the government at the time neglected its safety management responsibilities regarding the humidifier disinfectants and responded passively after confirming the disaster, which led to its expansion.
The Sewol ferry disaster report includes investigation details on the cause of the sinking, why passengers were not rescued, and whether the government's response at the time was appropriate. It also comprehensively addressed related issues such as any obstructive actions during the fact-finding process.
In accordance with Article 48, Paragraph 1 of the "Special Act on the Investigation of Social Disasters and the Construction of a Safe Society" (Social Disaster Special Act), SDSIC reported the comprehensive report and 80 recommendations to the National Assembly and the President. If the National Assembly deems the implementation of the recommendations insufficient, it must demand improvements and monitor the progress of implementation.
Oh Kwan-young, Secretary-General of SDSIC, stated, "The recommendations sent to each national institution this time are lessons derived from both disasters and essential improvements needed to move toward a safer society. We hope the relevant national institutions will do their best to implement these recommendations, and we ask the National Assembly to also make efforts to monitor the implementation status."
SDSIC was officially launched on December 11, 2018, under the Social Disaster Special Act enacted after the inauguration of the Moon Jae-in administration in 2017. The initially guaranteed activity period was one year, extendable by an additional year if necessary, for a maximum of two years. However, on December 9, 2020, one day before the end of its activities, the "Partial Amendment to the Social Disaster Special Act" passed the National Assembly, extending the activity period.
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