Korea shifts humidifier disinfectant payouts from courts to state

South Korea opened a state-run compensation system for victims of the humidifier disinfectant disaster on Oct. 8, moving claims out of the courts and under a government review committee.

The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment signed an implementation agreement that day with 15 manufacturers of the disinfectants and their raw materials, including Oxy Reckitt Benckiser, SK Chemicals, SK Innovation and Aekyung Industrial. The companies promised to pay their assessed shares faithfully while the government works to secure its own budgetary contribution, and both sides said they would resolve disputes over contributions through a consultative body rather than letting them delay funding.

The claims window runs from Oct. 8 through April 7 next year. Victims file with the compensation review committee, to be formed this month; contribution assessments on companies are due in the first half of next year.

The new law replaces an administrative relief scheme centered on company liability with one in which the state is a party to the damages. Award amounts cover treatment costs, nursing, lost income, survivors' compensation, funeral expenses, emotional damages and delayed interest. Victims can take treatment costs as a lump sum or receive part up front and continue collecting as care continues. Those already receiving relief benefits keep them until compensation begins.

The enforcement rule sets the application and reconsideration forms, defines continuing treatment costs to include non-covered medical expenses and purchases or rentals of devices such as ventilators and oxygen supply equipment, and lays out hospital-level victim management centers and a research center at the National Institute of Environmental Research.

Raw materials suppliers will carry 45 percent of what disinfectant makers owe, on top of the makers' own burden.

Speaking at the signing, Minister Kim Sung-hwan apologized to victims and bereaved families for the state's failure to protect lives and safety, and said the government would act as a party to the compensation and work for a swift, transparent process. The head of the review committee's support team said the committee would take victims' circumstances into account as fully as possible.

As of Sept. 14, 8,096 people have applied for relief, 6,080 have been recognized, and 222.5 billion won ($166 million) has been paid out. Officials trace the shift to a 2024 Supreme Court ruling that recognized state responsibility for the damage, followed by a comprehensive support plan in December 2025 and the revised special law, promulgated April 7 and effective Oct. 8.