Ata Safdar, the head of British consumer goods giant,
Reckitt Benckiser in Korea and Japan was smacked over the neck while he
tried to apologise for his company's involvement in the use of
humidifier sterilisers that were linked to deadly lung injuries. Safdar,
undeterred by the assault, continued his apology and bowed several
times to the audience.
The news conference held in a Seoul hotel on 2 May, is the
first public acceptance of responsibility by the firm for its role in
the controversy since 2011. According to Reuters, a total of 92 people
were believed to have died from causes related to the use of the
humidifier products. Not all of the humidifiers were however marketed by
Oxy Reckitt Benckiser, the group's South Korean arm at the time.
"Today's apology, was about acceptance of responsibility for
the harm that Oxy HS [humidifier sterilisers] has caused. This is the
first time we are accepting the fullest responsibility, and we are
offering a complete and full apology," he said.
"We were late, five years have passed, we are also
apologising far too late. This is what we are apologising about," Safdar
said. As he spoke, a man came on stage, shouted at Safdar and then
slapped him at the back of his neck.
Products produced by Reckitt Benckiser - Vanish, Finish, Dettol and Harpic.
Reuters
"This
is heartbreaking. I apologise again. I would request that I am allowed
to finish my statement please," he asked. Among those in the audience,
included victims and their families, including a 13-year-old boy who has
to use an oxygen tank to breath.
Safdar said some 178 users of its products are believed to
be among those suspected to have been linked to lung ailments. He also
outlined a plan to set up a compensation panel.
South Korea has said that since 2011, around 530 people have
submitted claims over the humidifier sterilizers, marketed by Oxy
Reckitt Benckiser and similar products by other companies. South Korea
is believed to be the only country where the products were sold.
Last month, the company issued a written statement
apologising for failing to communicate more quickly to the victims and
their families. It has also set up a 5bn won (£3m, €3.82m, $4.41m)
"humanitarian fund". This is in addition to the 5bn won fund set up in
2014, Reuters noted.
According to Sky News, many of the victims were women
and children, who use humidifiers during South Korea's dry winter
season. The issue with the products emerged in 2011 when four pregnant
women died of lung problems and the government found "significant
association" with the sterliisers.
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