A protester hurls insults at the Oxy head at a news conference.[Photo by Namgung-jinwoong = timeid@]
The South Korean unit of a British firm pledged full compensation Monday over the deaths of dozens of pregnant women and infants who have used humidifiers containing a harmful substance, in a turbulent press conference marred by noisy protests.
Ata Safdar, the head of Oxy Reckitt Benckiser Korea, promised to set up a 10 billion won ($8.7 million) "humanitarian" fund for the victims, saying his company accepts "responsibility" for failing to take quick measures over deaths and diseases caused by its humidifier sterilizer.
Government statistics showed 103 people were presumed to have died after using humidifier disinfectants produced by Oxy and other companies. Prosecutors have launched an investigation into the case, which was brought to light in 2011 when health authorities revealed a possible association between the use of humidifier disinfectants and serious lung ailment.
Consumer groups have accused Oxy of falsely advertising its clear liquid disinfectant as safe.
"We take these accusations very seriously," Safdar said in a televised news conference, which came to a sudden halt because of angry protests from some victims and their families screaming and hurling abuses.
"On behalf of Oxy Korea I extend a heartfelt and sincere apology," he said. "Oxy Reckitt Benckiser is making improvements to our safety process."
At one point, Safdar was driven off the podium into the corner by two protestors. One shouted "It's too late!" and the other pushed him away. With a blushing face, the Oxy chief repeatedly apologized and called for forgiveness.
He said his company would provide "timely and fair compensation", launch an independent probe, and take swift action if the probe reveals evidence of any wrongdoing.
"We want to reassure consumers that we have taken steps to ensure something like this can never happen again," he said. "Nevertheless, we understand that despite our efforts, nothing can completely ease the pain and suffering of the victims and their families."
The apology came days after South Korean President Park Geun-hye ordered a thorough investigation saying she felt "really sad especially over the deaths of infants and toddlers".
In courts, Oxy and distributors are involved in a series of suits with those suffering from lung damage. There was a wide gap in the total number of the victims because the victims failed to present any clear evidence supporting a direct causal relationship with the humidifier sterilizer including chemicals such as poly hexamethylene guanidine.
Using its own tests, Oxy Reckitt Benckiser has unveiled a report saying its products were not harmful. The victims, however, insisted the investigation should focus on whether the company was aware of the disinfectant's harmfulness before selling its products.
Prosecutors have questioned officials from Oxy Reckitt Benckiser, the market leader in disinfectant sales in South Korea, to see if the company covered up the toxicity of disinfectants. There have been unconfirmed allegations that Oxy skipped a safety test despite a warning from experts.
On Monday, an association of the victims and their families filed a complaint with prosecutors accusing eight executives from Oxy's parent company in Britain of manslaughter and concealment of evidence.
They insisted the parent company should be investigated in South Korea where Oxy sells more than 120 household items and five medicine products.
The Environment Ministry has vowed to find a correlation between the use of toxic disinfectant and other health symptoms in addition to lung-related diseases. It will establish new standards for the compensation of damages to victims.
Aju News Lim Chang-won and Park Se-jin
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
