The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment held a meeting with victims on the afternoon of the 25th at the communication space for humidifier disinfectant victims in the Seoul Je-bun Building, where it explained the implementation status of the comprehensive support measures and listened to additional suggestions.
At the meeting, Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment Kim Seonghwan said, "I sincerely apologize to the victims and bereaved families who have suffered for such a long time," and added, "We will cooperate with the National Assembly for the swift passage of the amendment to the special act, and we will do our best to ensure that the comprehensive support measures function effectively in the field." This was the third time Minister Kim has met with the victims since taking office.
Kim Seonghwan, Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, is greeting victims ahead of a meeting at a communication space for victims of humidifier disinfectant in Jung-gu, Seoul on the 25th. Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment.
According to the ministry, 20 victims selected through prior application and a lottery participated in the meeting that day. Minister Kim explained the progress and future plans of the comprehensive support measures for victims that he had pledged at the first meeting in August last year, and heard opinions on the transition of the compensation system and on full life-cycle support measures.
The humidifier disinfectant disaster refers to an incident in which the use of products sold since 1994 caused lung damage and other harm. After patients with lung damage of unknown cause were reported in 2006, an epidemiological investigation in 2011 confirmed a causal relationship between the products and lung damage. To date, the government has recognized 5,971 people as victims out of 8,039 applicants.
In June 2024, the Supreme Court acknowledged state responsibility for the incident, and on December 24 of the same year, the government announced the "Comprehensive Support Measures for Victims of the Humidifier Disinfectant Disaster," centered on transitioning to a state-led compensation system. On the same day, a bill for the complete amendment of the special act on relief for victims was submitted to the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea.
The government plans to convert the existing relief system into a compensation system and to promote customized support that covers the victims' entire lives, including their education, military service, social advancement, and recovery of daily life. The results of the meeting will be made public on the comprehensive support website for humidifier disinfectant victims, and the government plans to review whether to reflect the suggestions raised in subordinate legislation.
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