Transition from Relief to Compensation System
Shared Liability for Damages Between Companies and the State
The government has classified the humidifier disinfectant incident as a disaster and decided to establish a state-led compensation system. A Compensation Review Committee will be set up under the Prime Minister, and government funding will resume next year. To strengthen victims' rights to claim damages, the long-term statute of limitations will be abolished.
On December 24, at the Government Complex Sejong, the government, presided over by Prime Minister Kim Minseok, held the 8th National Policy Coordination Meeting and finalized the "Comprehensive Support Measures for Victims of the Humidifier Disinfectant Disaster."
The government acknowledged that, although the Supreme Court officially recognized state responsibility for humidifier disinfectant victims in June last year, there have been limitations in the response so far, and has now introduced new measures. The plan includes: ▲ strengthening state responsibility and shifting to a compensation-based system ▲ providing life-cycle support through inter-ministerial cooperation ▲ restoring victims' trust by enhancing expertise and communication.
The government will fully transition the existing relief system to a compensation-based system according to responsibility. Compensation will be provided for active damages such as medical expenses, passive damages such as lost earnings, and consolation money, while allowing victims to choose how to receive compensation in consideration of their health conditions. The government will also lead memorial projects, adding "memorial" to the purpose of relevant laws and designating a memorial day to hold official events.
In addition, liability for damages will no longer rest solely with companies, but will be shared jointly by companies and the state, significantly expanding the government's role. The Victim Relief Committee under the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment will be reorganized into the Compensation Review Committee under the Prime Minister. Government funding, which was suspended from 2019 to 2021, will resume next year with a budget of 10 billion won. The long-term statute of limitations will be abolished to strengthen victims' rights to claim damages.
The government will establish an inter-ministerial task force led by the Office for Government Policy Coordination to comprehensively review improvement tasks under each ministry's jurisdiction. School-age victims will be given priority placement at nearby schools when advancing to middle or high school, if desired. Partial support for university tuition will be provided. For youth victims fulfilling their military duty, an assessment system that considers their health conditions will be implemented, and their service will be managed to prevent excessive work or training.
To address previously noted issues of insufficient expertise and administrative delays, the government will also restructure the Korea Environmental Industry and Technology Institute. The existing Environmental Health Division will be upgraded to the Environmental Pollution Damage Support Headquarters, which will be responsible for everything from identifying to supporting victims of humidifier disinfectant, asbestos, and environmental pollution. In addition, a communications team will be operated within the Ministry of Climate, and online meetings will be held to strengthen ongoing communication.
The government has announced its intention to make next year the inaugural year for the full transition of the humidifier disinfectant victim relief system. In cooperation with the National Assembly, it will also pursue a complete revision of the "Special Act on Relief for Victims of Humidifier Disinfectant." Prime Minister Kim stated, "As a joint responsible party for this disaster, the government intends to fulfill its responsibility with utmost seriousness," and added, "Once again, I offer my deepest condolences and apologies to the victims and their families."
The humidifier disinfectant disaster refers to the incident in which humidifier disinfectant products, sold since 1994, caused lung damage and harmed a large number of citizens. In 2011, an epidemiological investigation by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency established a causal link between humidifier disinfectants and lung damage. As of last month, the Ministry of Climate reported that, out of 8,035 applicants, 5,942 victims had been officially recognized.
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