가습기살균제 피해자와 가족들이 옥시싹싹의 영국 본사 레킷벤키저를 항의 방문 소개하는 영문 신문입니다.

The Korea Times 2015-05-10 19:26 By Lee Kyung-min

Families of victims who died after using humidifier sterilizers that contained harmful substances plan to visit the headquarters of one of the appliances manufacturers, Reckitt Benckiser (RB), in Slough, England, they said, Sunday.

Known as Oxy Reckitt Benckiser here, RB is one of three sterilizer manufacturers against which some of the victim's families have filed suits to seek compensation for deaths or health problems. The other two are Hanvit Chemical and Cefu.

The Berkshire-based company is allegedly responsible for more than 80 percent of 530 victims here.

The families and a civic group, Asian Citizen's Center and Environment and Health (ACCEH), said that they have no choice but to visit England to bring attention to the issue.

"Since 2011, more than 500 people suffered damaged due to the sterilizers," ACCEH Director Choi Ye-yong said during a press conference in Seoul. "And yet, nobody has been held accountable. We cannot let this incident fade away from peoples' memories."

They claimed that among 92 people who died from the hazardous humidifier sterilizers, 77.2 percent used the Oxy Reckitt Benckiser's products. But the company has never apologized to them, they said.

"We believe the issue needs a global spotlight. Our visit to England will be a start," Choi said.

A delegate of seven ― four from victims' families and three activists including Choi ― will leave for England on May 18 and hold a press conference the next day in front of the company headquarters in England.

"The four are: a man who lost his wife, another man who lost his son, a 10-year-old girl whose respiratory system was severely damaged and her father. All of their lives have been devastated because of the Reckitt Benckiser's products," Choi said.

The delegation will also meet 20 members from the British Parliament, as well as holding a protest and a commemorative event including a candlelight vigil at Trafalgar Square in London.

In Korea, they also plan to launch a 140-day protest against the manufacturer at Gwanghwamun Square as well as at the company's Korean unit office in Yeouido.

Choi said the families' pain is aggravated because the company denies its fault. "Last year, the company paid 250 million won ($ 230,000) to two of the victims on condition that they drop the suit. This means they are attempting to avoid a lawsuit at all cost. They are guilty, and they know it.

"Offering a sincere apology is the least they can do," Choi said.

The families also filed a suit against the Korean government for failing to screen out the harmful substance, but a local court ruled against them earlier this year, saying the government was unaware of the harmful effects from the products. The families appealed.