Humidifier sterilizer victims' group leader dies, 1,422nd recognized victim to pass away

Seo Young-chul, a prominent leader in the fight for victims of the humidifier sterilizer disaster, has died at age 69. He passed away at Seoul National University Hospital after collapsing in the emergency room due to symptoms of pneumothorax. Seo had been seeking treatment for a collapsed lung when he fell.

According to the Lawyers for a Democratic Society's Environmental Health Committee, Seo was the 1,958th person to die among all humidifier sterilizer victims and the 1,422nd among those whose claims were officially recognized. He was a victim himself and actively led the advocacy movement.

Seo served as a victim advisor to the Special Investigation Committee on Social Disasters in 2019-2020. He took on the role of representative for the National Humidifier Sterilizer Disaster Victims' Alliance last September. In this capacity, he spearheaded protests and demanded revisions to special laws, improvements to enforcement decrees, expanded criteria for victim recognition, and resolution of state responsibility for compensation.

The humidifier sterilizer incident involved harmful chemicals in products sold since 1994. Inhaling these substances caused lung damage and other health issues for users. Seo's death marks a significant loss for the ongoing struggle for justice and recognition for those affected by the tragedy.