The Environment Ministry on Wednesday said it would survey household biocide products made and sold by some 8,000 companies here until the end of next year to review their safety.In a group briefing attended by representatives of distributors, manufacturers, and importers, the ministry said that about 30 companies with major market shares have shown a willingness to sign memorandums of understanding with the ministry for this purpose. These companies produce the 15 types of household products un

Social Affairs May 25, 2016

The prosecution on Monday questioned former Oxy Reckitt Benckiser CEO John Lee on charges of accidental manslaughter and injury as part of the widening probe into the humidifier disinfectant scandal. Lee, a 48-year-old Korean-American who currently heads Google Korea, is suspected of not taking appropriate measures despite rising health complaints from users when he was leading the company from June 2005 to May 2010. Sales of Oxy Ssak Ssak reached a high during his term. Former CEO of Oxy Reckit

Social Affairs May 23, 2016

The victims of toxic humidifier disinfectants and their families have established a corporation to systematically speed up their action against the manufacturers and government, a civic group said Sunday. More than 100 victims and families held a general meeting and set up a board comprising 22 members, including 17 directors, three advisers and two auditors. So far, the group has worked as an unofficial unit without any legal basis. Victims and the families of victims of toxic humidifier disinf

Social Affairs May 22, 2016

About 30 percent of the Korean population has likely been exposed to the toxic humidifier disinfectant, an expert claimed Wednesday. According to a survey conducted last year by Asan Medical Center’s medical professor Hong Soo-jong, 31.3 percent of children aged 7 were found to have used the humidifier disinfectant at home. About 1,500 children were surveyed. Participants attend a forum on ecotoxic substances at the National Assembly on Wednesday. (Yonhap)“If their families are included, about 3

Social Affairs May 18, 2016

The prosecution on Tuesday summoned two officials of Homeplus over the sales of toxic humidifier disinfectant, expanding the high-profile probe to other companies.Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office said it called in two officials of the retailer who were in charge of managing internal rules and customer service respectively while the company was selling the disinfectants. Of the total 221 victims officially confirmed by the government, 28 used Homeplus’ product, with 12 deaths, the prose

Social Affairs May 17, 2016

The prosecution said Monday it has found additional evidence to prove that Oxy Reckitt Benckiser sold its problematic humidifier disinfectant in the market while being aware of its ingredient toxicity, based on a state report made four years ago. Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office said they had found the Korea Fair Trade Commission’s chemicals labeling report which showed that the company – now formally renamed Reckitt Benckiser Korea -- had received material safety data sheets (MSDS) on

Social Affairs May 16, 2016

The prosecution has arrested a judge-turned-lawyer who allegedly received billions of won in legal fees in return for lobbying judges and prosecutors for her high-profile clients, officials said Friday. (Yonhap)The Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office said they arrested 46-year-old former chief prosecutor Choi Yoo-jeong late Thursday night for attempting to influence rulings of clients. Choi is accused of taking a total of about 10 billion won ($8.6 million) from two clients -- cosmetics f

Social Affairs May 13, 2016

Sources from the prosecution said they have found more details on how Oxy Reckitt Benckiser had used the toxic ingredient PHMG to produce the problematic humidifier disinfectant. According to the prosecution, Oxy – which was formally renamed Reckitt Benckiser Korea -- had initially used a chemical called Priventol R80 as the main ingredient for Oxy Ssak Ssak until the late ’90s. The inhalation-toxicity test for the chemical proved that it was safe. However, in 2000, the company reportedly decide

Social Affairs May 12, 2016

Prosecutors on Wednesday sought for the arrest of four former and incumbent officials of the manufacturers involved in the humidifier disinfectant case. This is the first time that arrest is being sought against individuals from the companies that sold toxic sterilizers that are blamed for the deaths of at least 140 since 2011.The Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office’s special team said that an arrest warrant has been sought for former CEO of Oxy Reckitt Benckiser Shin Hyun-woo, a former h

Social Affairs May 11, 2016

Family representatives of toxic humidifier disinfectant victims on Wednesday criticized Oxy Reckitt Benckiser for not apologizing, despite their visit to the U.K. headquarters. Families of the victims and activists returned to Seoul after a six-day visit to the U.K. that included a visit to the firm’s headquarters to ask it to take responsibility for the massive number of deaths and health damages.Kim Deok-jong, whose son is suspected to have died from the toxic humidifier disinfectant, talks to

Social Affairs May 11, 2016

A 34-year-old teacher surnamed Park at a private elementary school in central Seoul witnesses young students struggling with piles of homework every day, not just for their regular classes but also after-school courses run by the school -- especially focused on English. “I often see my students under immense pressure from school, after-school programs and private academies. They have told me that they are fed up with the homework, but it seems there is no way to escape,” Park told The Korea Hera

Social Affairs May 10, 2016

The ruling Saenuri Party decided Sunday to push for a hearing on the toxic humidifier disinfectant case after the prosecutorial probe is completed.After holding talks with the government, the party also decided to keep open the option of holding an audit against involved companies and government organizations if the hearing fails to fully clarify the wrongdoings related to the tragedy that left more than a hundred people dead after using the products containing toxic substances.The party will al

Social Affairs May 8, 2016

Over recent years, South Korea has fast become a much better place for pets to live in.From slapping harsher punishment against animal abusers to supporting pet welfare and industries, the South Korean government has been moving toward protecting pets. Dogs participating in a pet festival held at Gangwon Province run toward their owners on May 10. (Yonhap)It was in 1991 that the government first enacted the animal protection law, recognizing animals as those in need of protection and support. Wh

Social Affairs May 4, 2016

The Constitutional Court on Tuesday dismissed the request for review on the constitutionality of the South Korean government holding deportees in protection centers for an unlimited duration.The 5-4 decision thereby upheld the constitutionality of the immigration law that allows the authorities to keep illegal residents until their repatriation. Illegal residents who are caught during clampdowns, or while committing crimes, are sent to designated shelters until their deportation. The period of s

Social Affairs May 3, 2016

Criticism has been sparked over the law school admission system after the government’s nationwide survey found clues of nepotism, with the Education Ministry also coming under fire for imposing light punishment against the schools.The Education Ministry said Monday that it found a total of 24 cases in which law school applicants revealed the occupations or social positions of their parents to allegedly take advantage of it in the admission process. Such information in five cases allowed the admi

Social Affairs May 2, 2016