Alcoholics file damage suit against liquor firms

A group of people receiving treatment for alcoholism have filed a damage suit against liquor firms for the first time in Korea. / Yonhap

By Jung Min-ho

A group of people receiving treatment for alcoholism have filed a damage suit against liquor firms and government organizations, alleging they were not properly warned about the dangers of alcohol.

According to industry sources, 26 people presented a petition Tuesday to the Seoul Central District Court against Hite Jinro, Muhak, Korea Alcohol Industrial, the Korea Alcohol and Liquor Industry Association, the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) and the government.

The plaintiffs demand 2.1 billion won ($2 million) in compensation.

This is the first class-action lawsuit here filed by alcoholics against the liquor industry.

"We are the victims," the plaintiffs said. "We did not recognize the risk of the products."

They said the warning signs on alcohol cans and bottles are "tiny," while the advertisements for them are "huge."

They claim the companies failed to warn them that consuming alcohol can be habit-forming and addictive, demanding that the government launch a campaign to raise awareness about its dangers.

"The government has held only consumers accountable for their alcohol-related diseases," they said. "It is time to come up with solutions to regulate the companies properly."

An official from Hite Jinro said the company has not received a copy of the lawsuit.

"We will take necessary legal actions when we get it," the official said.

A NHIS official said he does not understand why the NHIS is named in the lawsuit as it has "little control over regulating the liquor companies."

In the similar vein, the NHIS is suing three tobacco firms, including local market leader KT&G Corp, in the first lawsuit where a national agency is seeking damages from the tobacco industry.

Some experts believe the two cases may result in different outcomes as cigarettes have proved to be more addictive than alcohol in many studies, which is an important factor in deciding who is responsible for any damages.

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