Korea opens state-led compensation scheme for humidifier disinfectant victims

The environment ministry said Thursday it opened a six-month window for victims of humidifier disinfectant damage to claim compensation, moving redress for one of South Korea's deadliest consumer disasters from civil litigation to a state-run review process.

Claims may be filed from Oct. 8 through April 7, 2027 under a fully revised special law and its enforcement decree, both of which took effect the same day.

Under the new system, the state and the companies share liability for damages, and victims are compensated through a review committee's deliberation rather than having to file a separate damages suit.

Ahead of the opening, the ministry signed a compensation implementation agreement with 15 manufacturers of humidifier disinfectants and of the raw materials used in them. Under the agreement, the companies will pay their assessed contributions in full, while the government commits to securing the corresponding budget.

"I offer my deep apology once again to the victims and bereaved families who have suffered for so long because the state failed to protect the lives and safety of its people," Environment Minister Kim Seong-hwan said. "I hope this agreement gives reassurance to victims who worry that compensation will be delayed. The state, as a party to the compensation responsibility, will do its utmost to ensure the process is swift and transparent."

The head of the compensation review committee's support team said the committee will take victims' circumstances into account as much as possible and will do its best to ensure they receive fair and full compensation.

Compensation covers treatment costs, nursing care, disability and survivors' payments based on lost income, funeral expenses, solatium and late interest. Victims already recognised under the earlier special law are treated as having applied if they complete an online consent procedure allowing their existing documents to be reused.

A new provision in the enforcement rules brings non-covered medical costs into the scope of reimbursable treatment, along with the purchase or rental of ventilators, oxygen supply devices and other medical equipment and consumables used outside hospitals. Applicants may take treatment costs as a lump sum or receive part up front and the remainder in instalments. Those who opt for treatment costs to be paid directly to a medical institution must submit an application to the institute at least 30 days before receiving the treatment.

Applications can be filed through an online portal, at a support centre in Sejong or at a reception desk in Seoul operated by the Korea Environmental Industry and Technology Institute.

The compensation review committee is to be formed this month, with detailed standards and guidance to be published by the end of the year. Individual reviews are to begin next year, and contributions are to be levied on companies by name in the first half of next year.