Former CEO of Oxy Reckitt Benckiser grilled
Shin Hyun-woo, former CEO of Oxy Reckitt Benckiser Korea, speaks to reporters before entering the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office, Tuesday. / Korea Times Photo by Koh Young-kwon
By Lee Kyung-min
The prosecution questioned former CEO of Oxy Reckitt Benckiser Shin Hyun-woo, 68, Tuesday, over allegations that the company knew about a deadly chemical used in humidifier disinfectants before they were sold.
This is part of the prosecution’s widening investigation into 70 deaths and 107 multiple respiratory problems allegedly caused by the disinfectants produced by the company between 2001 and 2011.
An additional 44 victims were found to have used products made by Lotte Mart, Homeplus, and Butterfly Effect among others.
Before entering the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office, Shin expressed regret to the victims’ families, but denied that he knew about the danger beforehand.
“I offer my sincere apologies to the victims and their families. I will answer any questions earnestly. However, I did not know that the chemicals were dangerous,” he said.
Shin is not likely to face murder charges, because it is difficult for the prosecution to prove that he intended to kill the consumers with the toxic products.
Charges against him may include manslaughter and professional negligence resulting in injury, the prosecution said.
Shin headed the company in 2001 when it introduced the products containing the deadly polyhexamethylene guanidine (PHMG) to the market.
Given that the company’s head office in England owns Oxy, the prosecution believes the former CEO was significantly involved in the decision making process here.
Prosecutors questioned two other key executives who were in charge of production including a company research center head surnamed Kim and senior researcher surnamed Choi.
They were asked how they first developed the disinfectants, whether they were aware of the chemical’s danger, and if they reported consumer complaints about breathing difficulties to the company’s head office.
The prosecution also asked why the company failed to conduct thorough toxicity tests on their products before selling them.
Already, the company faces allegations that it erased online consumer complaints from its website, and paid off university researchers to fabricate test results in its favor.
The prosecution will determine whether to seek arrest warrants against them soon.
Meanwhile, Homeplus CEO Kim Sang-hyun offered a public apology to victims at the company headquarters in Gangseo-gu, western Seoul.
Homeplus sold disinfectant containing PHMG between 2004 and 2011.
“I offer my sincere apologies and will set up a body to offer due compensation to the victims,” he said.
Kim said the body will be composed of an outside panel to assess the damage fairly, adding that he will hold discussions with the government for a prompt resolution.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Justice is considering offering money to the affected victims to help with medical costs and living expenses.
The ministry, with the help of Korea Legal Aid Corporation (KLAC), will help those who wish to file damage suits against the manufacturers of the disinfectants.