Prosecutors Indict SK Discovery Corporation and Former CEO for False and Exaggerated Advertising of Humidifier Disinfectant

SK Discovery (formerly SK Chemical) and former CEO Hong Ji-ho have been brought to trial on charges of false and exaggerated advertising, claiming that humidifier disinfectants are harmless and safe for humans.

Seoul Seocho-gu Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office. / Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

The Criminal Division 2 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Son Jeong-hyun) announced on the 28th that SK Discovery and former CEO Hong have been indicted for violating the Act on Fair Labeling and Advertising.

SK Discovery and former CEO Hong are accused of conspiring twice with Aekyung Industrial from October 2002 to October 2005 to distribute press releases to media outlets stating that the humidifier disinfectant product ‘Home Clinic Humidifier Mate’ was harmless and safe for humans.

Based on a complaint from the Fair Trade Commission in October 2022, the prosecution launched an investigation. After indicting Aekyung Industrial and former CEO Ahn Yong-chan without detention on charges of violating the labeling and advertising law, the investigation into SK Discovery employees continued.

According to the prosecution, SK Discovery and former CEO Hong jointly developed, manufactured, and sold the humidifier disinfectant product ‘Home Clinic Humidifier Mate’ with Aekyung Industrial. They provided false information and materials to Aekyung Industrial, claiming that the main ingredient CMIT/MIT could not cause or worsen lung diseases and that the product had been recognized as low toxicity by a British inhalation toxicity testing specialist institution, despite no such recognition. They then had Aekyung Industrial prepare and distribute press releases based on this false information, thereby participating in false and exaggerated advertising.

Meanwhile, in the ‘Humidifier Disinfectant Negligent Homicide and Injury Case,’ which forms the basis of the false and exaggerated advertising charges, former CEOs Ahn and Hong were sentenced to four years in prison by the Seoul High Court in January this year. All 13 executives and employees were found guilty, and the appeal trial is currently underway.