Former Oxy Korea CEO called in for second round of questioning
Seoul prosecutors have summoned the former head of Oxy Korea for additional questioning about his involvement in the toxic humidifier disinfectant scandal... that has taken lives in Korea.
Lee Min-young tells us more.
The former head of Oxy Reckitt Benckiser Korea was called in for a second round of questioning on the company's toxic humidifier sterilizer, which killed or seriously injured hundreds of people in Korea.
John Lee, who is currently the CEO of Google Korea, appeared at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office on Tuesday.
Prosecutors are deciding whether to file for a warrant for Lee's arrest.
Lee was first summoned two weeks ago, when prosecutors tried to ascertain if he was aware of the toxicity of PHMG, a toxic compound used in the sterilizer.
Lee was accused of failing to act after receiving complaints from customers about the side effects of the product.
He is also being accused of false advertisement, as Oxy Korea reassured customers the product was safe for children, even though that was unconfirmed.
Lee was the chief executive of Oxy Korea from 2005 to 2010,... when sales of the sterilizers were at their highest.
He has denied the allegations.
While the prosecution questions the CEO, civic groups are trying to hold the government to account.
The non-profit lawyers group Minbyun on Monday accused the environment ministry of being aware of the potential dangers of the toxic ingredient, while turning a blind eye to that fact that customers were exposed to the deadly chemical PHMG.
Minbyun cited an environment ministry report from 2005 that noted the potential dangers of PHMG in Oxy products,... and said the was negligent because it did not conduct any follow-up testing.
The humidifier disinfectant case has been rated as one of the worst scandals involving common household products with chemical ingredients.
It came to light after four pregnant women died of lung problems from unknown causes in 2011.
Lee Minyoung, Arirang News.
Lee Min-young tells us more.
The former head of Oxy Reckitt Benckiser Korea was called in for a second round of questioning on the company's toxic humidifier sterilizer, which killed or seriously injured hundreds of people in Korea.
John Lee, who is currently the CEO of Google Korea, appeared at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office on Tuesday.
Prosecutors are deciding whether to file for a warrant for Lee's arrest.
Lee was first summoned two weeks ago, when prosecutors tried to ascertain if he was aware of the toxicity of PHMG, a toxic compound used in the sterilizer.
Lee was accused of failing to act after receiving complaints from customers about the side effects of the product.
He is also being accused of false advertisement, as Oxy Korea reassured customers the product was safe for children, even though that was unconfirmed.
Lee was the chief executive of Oxy Korea from 2005 to 2010,... when sales of the sterilizers were at their highest.
He has denied the allegations.
While the prosecution questions the CEO, civic groups are trying to hold the government to account.
The non-profit lawyers group Minbyun on Monday accused the environment ministry of being aware of the potential dangers of the toxic ingredient, while turning a blind eye to that fact that customers were exposed to the deadly chemical PHMG.
Minbyun cited an environment ministry report from 2005 that noted the potential dangers of PHMG in Oxy products,... and said the was negligent because it did not conduct any follow-up testing.
The humidifier disinfectant case has been rated as one of the worst scandals involving common household products with chemical ingredients.
It came to light after four pregnant women died of lung problems from unknown causes in 2011.
Lee Minyoung, Arirang News.