Kim Seong-hwan, the Minister of Environment, met with victims of humidifier disinfectants to apologize. On the 6th, Minister Kim said to representatives of the humidifier disinfectant victims' groups at the National Assembly's meeting room, "I sincerely apologize to the victims and their families who have suffered pain and hardship all this time."
According to the Ministry of Environment, this is the first time a government department minister has officially apologized to the victims and their families since the Supreme Court recognized responsibility in the humidifier disinfectant case last June.
Minister Kim previously said during the confirmation hearing that he would "prepare victim-centered measures" regarding the humidifier disinfectant victims. The meeting was explained by the Ministry of Environment as the first step toward implementing that promise.
An official from the Ministry of Environment said, "In the future, we plan to listen to the victims' desired solutions to their issues and actively consider them in the policy development process." He added, "We will also closely cooperate with the National Assembly to establish victim-centered solutions."