The Korea Times close
National
  • Politics
  • Diplomacy
  • Defense
  • Labor & Environment
  • Law & Crime
  • Health & Welfare
  • Embassy
  • Seoul & Provinces
  • Education
  • Foreign Communities
  • Obituaries
  • Multicultural Youth Award
Biz & Tech
  • Auto
  • IT
  • Game
  • Manufacturing
  • Retail & Food
  • Energy
  • Construction
  • Airlines
Finance
  • Policies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Banks
  • Non-banks
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
Lifestyle
  • Arts
  • Books
  • Travel & Cuisine
  • Trend
  • Fashion
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
  • Translation Award
Entertainment
  • K-pop
  • K-dramas & Shows
  • Movies
  • Music
  • Performances
  • Asia Model Festival
Sports
  • Football
  • Golf
  • Baseball
  • Other Sports
World
  • Asia Pacific
  • Americas
  • Europe & Africa
  • SCMP
Video
  • On the Spot
  • Feature
  • News
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
Community
  • The Korea Times
  • all menu
  • search
  • facebookfacebook
  • twittertwitter
  • youtubeyoutube
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
  • The Korea Times
  • all menu
  • search
  • facebookfacebook
  • twittertwitter
  • youtubeyoutube
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
National
  • Politics
  • Diplomacy
  • Defense
  • Labor & Environment
  • Law & Crime
  • Health & Welfare
  • Embassy
  • Seoul & Provinces
  • Education
  • Foreign Communities
  • Obituaries
  • Multicultural Youth Award
Fri, December 13, 2019 | 04:18
-------------------------
Disinfectant victims sue gov't, companies
"옥시 영업 중단해야"…시민단체, 2차 불매운동 나서
Posted : 2016-05-16 17:08
Updated : 2016-05-16 18:44
Kim Bo-eun
Mail
Print Preview
Font Size Up
Font Size Down
Civic group members call for a boycott against Oxy Reckitt Benckiser Korea products during a rally in front of the company's building on Yeouido, Seoul, Monday. / Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
Civic group members call for a boycott against Oxy Reckitt Benckiser Korea products during a rally in front of the company's building on Yeouido, Seoul, Monday. / Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk

By Kim Bo-eun


Over 400 victims of toxic humidifier disinfectants have filed a suit against the government and the manufacturers and retailers behind the deadly products, demanding some 10 billion won in compensation.

Lawyers for a Democratic Society, a liberal legal group, said Monday that it submitted a complaint to the Seoul Central District Court on behalf of 436 victims and their relatives.

The plaintiffs consist of victims recognized by the government, others who have applied to the Korea Environmental Industry and Technology Institute for recognition as victims and family members.

Among them are 235 victims who have suffered damage to their lungs and other organs, and family members of 51 deceased victims. Not all of the victims and their families are taking part in the suit, as more than 140 people died from the toxic products.

They have filed the suit against the government and 22 companies including Oxy Reckitt Benckiser Korea and Butterfly Effect, as well as retailers including Lotte Shopping and Home plus.

The plaintiffs are demanding 50 million won each for the deceased and 30 million won for those who continue to suffer health problems such as lung damage. These damages will cover medical expenses as well as the emotional distress the victims and their families have endured. The victims' family members are seeking 10 million won in compensation for emotional distress.

"Without any grounds, the manufacturers and sellers of the humidifier disinfectants indicated on the labels of their products that the ingredients were safe," a member of the lawyers' group said.

"The government, which failed to properly conduct safety tests and approve the products through tightly enforced safety regulations, must also take responsibility."

The humidifier disinfectants were sold from the late 1990s until 2011, when the scandal broke out, with people claiming the products caused lung damage and death.

The prosecution is currently investigating former and sitting executives of Oxy Reckitt Benckiser, which allegedly caused the majority of deaths.

Meanwhile, civic groups held a rally in front of the U.K.-based company's office on Yeouido, Seoul, calling for an extension of the boycott against its products.

Those groups started the boycott last month, which was joined by major retailers such as discount chains, convenience stores, online malls and department stores, hurting its sales.

Civic groups and victims have also been calling for the government to take responsibility for the scandal, criticizing it for failing to set up proper rules about safety tests and take adequate action for the victims when the scandal first broke out.

The prosecution also summoned the head of Yongma Industry, the manufacturer of disinfectant products for Lotte Mart and Home plus which contained the toxic component polyhexamethylene (PHMG). The company head, surnamed Kim, is the first to be questioned over the toxic products.


"옥시 영업 중단해야"…시민단체, 2차 불매운동 나서

시민단체들이 17일부터 이달말까지를 '옥시 2차 집중 불매운동 기간'으로 선포하고 옥시레킷벤키저의 퇴출을 주장했다.

참여연대, 환경운동연합 등 70여개 시민단체는 16일 오후 서울 여의도 옥시레킷벤키저사 앞에서 기자회견을 열어 옥시 불매운동을 더욱 강력하게 전개하겠다고 나섰다.

이들은 '옥시는 한국에서의 모든 영업활동을 중단하고 진상규명과 피해자 배상 조치를 위해 온 힘을 쏟아야 한다'며 대형유통업체와 온라인 유통망은 불매운동에 참여하겠다는 국민과의 약속을 지켜야 한다고 주장했다. 

이들은 이달 10일부터 옥시불매 집중행동을 벌였다.

17일부터 31일까지 2차 기간에는 생협, 중소 상공인, 지역, 종교계 등으로 운동을 확산하고 옥시, 롯데마트, 홈플러스, 이마트 등 경영책임자를 만나 불매를 촉구하겠다고 선언했다.

이들은 '정부는 옥시 전 제품에 대해 위험성을 검사하고 안전이 확인되기 전까지 판매를 중단해야 한다'며 '국회는 하루빨리 옥시 청문회를 개최하고 가습기살균제참사특별법 제정 등 관련 법안을 제·개정해야 한다'고 촉구했다.

이날 기자회견에 참석한 남인순 더불어민주당 의원은 '특별위원회를 통해 기업체와 정부의 관리가 소홀했는지 진상을 규명하겠다'며 '책임자 처벌과 피해자 배상, 재발방지 대책 마련에 심혈을 기울이겠다'고 발언했다.

최예용 환경보건시민센터 소장은 '레킷벤키저 본사는 한국 소비자를 깔보고 피해자를 우습게 보고 있다'며 '반드시 옥시 불매운동을 성공시키고 국제적으로 번져나가게 해야 국민과 소비자를 죽이고 우롱하는 일이 없어질 것'이라고 강조했다.

이 자리에 참여한 시민 200여명은 기자회견이 끝난 후 '옥시 OUT'이 적힌 피켓을 들고 옥시가 입주한 건물을 둘러싸는 전면 '인간띠잇기' 퍼포먼스를 할 예정이다. 옥시에 항의서한도 전달할 계획이다.

피해자단체와 환경시민단체들은 17일에는 옥시의 변호를 맡은 김앤장 법률사무소를 항의 방문한다. (연합뉴스)
Emailbkim@ktimes.com Article ListMore articles by this reporter








 
 
  • number Seoul proposes to buy $1 billion of US weapons
  • numberKorean Air recognizes lesbian couple as 'family'
  • numberFKI urges China to restore bilateral ties
  • numberUS ready to be 'flexible' for 'balanced agreement' with North Korea
  • numberSeoul, Tokyo seek 'exit strategy' over trade row
  • numberE-liquids contain lung injury-causing chemical
  • numberUS beefs up airborne ground surveillance over peninsula
  • number2019 Global Jeju Project brings diplomats on culture and eco tour on Jeju Island
  • numberHDC, Kumho make slow progress in Asiana takeover
  • numberKorean Air slimming down workforce amid business slump
  • BTS, ARMY battle K-pop negative 'Koreaboo' trend BTS, ARMY battle K-pop negative 'Koreaboo' trend
  • Baek Ye-rin's English album sweeps music charts Baek Ye-rin's English album sweeps music charts
  • Wrapping up year with solemn beauty of royal ancestral ritual Wrapping up year with solemn beauty of royal ancestral ritual
  • Actors team up for slapstick movie 'Start-Up' Actors team up for slapstick movie 'Start-Up'
  • Nine weeks in a row: How long will SuperM hold Billboard No.1? Nine weeks in a row: How long will SuperM hold Billboard No.1?
DARKROOM
  • Children deserve better

    Children deserve better

  • Global climate change: time is running out

    Global climate change: time is running out

  • CA cave fire burns more than 4,300 acres

    CA cave fire burns more than 4,300 acres

  • No money, no hope: South Korea's 'Dirt Spoons'

    No money, no hope: South Korea's 'Dirt Spoons'

  • Hong Kong democrats score historic victory

    Hong Kong democrats score historic victory

  • About Korea Times
  • CEO Message
  • Times History
  • Content Sales
  • Media Kit
  • Contact Us
  • Location
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • Mobile Service
  • RSS Service
  • Ombudsman
  • hankookilbo
  • Dongwha Group
  • Code of Ethics
Copyright