Korea opens state-led humidifier disinfectant compensation scheme

South Korea's environment ministry said Thursday it signed an agreement with 15 companies tied to the humidifier disinfectant disaster, clearing the way for a state-led compensation system that begins accepting claims on Oct. 8 and runs through April 7 next year.

The ministry signed the compensation implementation agreement with manufacturers including Oxy Reckitt Benckiser, SK Chemicals, SK Innovation and Aekyung Industrial at the Coal Center in Jongno District, Seoul, on Thursday morning. Under the deal, the companies committed to paying their assessed contributions in good faith while the ministry pledged to secure the government's own contribution to the fund.

"I once again offer my deep apologies 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," Minister Kim Seong-hwan said. "I hope this agreement gives reassurance to victims who feared compensation would be delayed."

Claims will be reviewed through health damage and workforce-loss assessments, with a compensation review committee under the prime minister making final decisions on eligibility and amounts. Successful claimants may take a lump sum or receive an upfront amount with treatment costs paid on an ongoing basis. Victims already receiving relief payments will keep them until compensation begins. Applications can be made online through the integrated victim support portal, at in-person counters in Seoul and Sejong, or with counselling at the Seoul victims' communication space.

The review committee is to be formed this month, with detailed standards and guidance published by the end of the year and individual reviews starting next year. The ministry plans to estimate total compensation from those standards and levy company-specific contributions in the first half of next year.

Kim said the system taking effect Thursday should mark a starting point for victims and their families to rebuild their lives more securely, adding that the state, as a party to the compensation responsibility, will do its utmost to ensure the process moves quickly and transparently.