The prosecution said Thursday it has sought an arrest warrant for Oxy Reckitt Benckiser’s lab head surnamed Cho on charges of false advertising of toxic humidifier disinfectants.
Cho, who has worked as the lab’s chief researcher since 2005, is suspected of deceptive advertising of Oxy Ssak Ssak by using phrases such as “harmless to health” or “safe for babies,” without conducting required safety tests.
The Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office also sought accidental manslaughter charges against him for manufacturing the product with the toxic chemical PHMG that led to a large number of deaths, the investigators said.
The court will decide on Friday whether to issue the warrant.
Meanwhile, the prosecution is considering adding fraud charges to former Oxy CEO Shin Hyun-woo and other company officials for advertising the product with incorrect phrases.
Shin was arrested for accidental manslaughter and injury charges on May 14.
Under the law, conviction of fraud can result in a jail term of up to 10 years or a fine of up to 20 million won ($16,900)
By Lee Hyun-jeong (
rene@heraldcorp.com)
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