A group of victims and bereaved families has protested a court ruling that acquitted executives and employees of SK Chemicals and Aekyung Industrial over their involvement in the production and sales of an allegedly fatal humidifier disinfectant. 

In a press conference following the ruling at Seoul Central District Court on Tuesday, the group criticized the verdict, calling it an unacceptable act of judiciary deception, and vowed to reveal the truth. The prosecution said later in the day that it will appeal the ruling. 

The court acquitted a total of 17 people, including former president of SK Chemicals Hong Ji-ho and former Aekyung Industrial CEO Ahn Yong-chan, who were indicted for negligence and other charges related to the failure to inform consumers of the product’s possible health hazards. 

It said there is insufficient evidence that chloromethylisothiazolinone and methylisothiazolinone, the two chemicals used in the humidifier sterilizer called "Humidifier Mate,” cause lung disease and asthma as the victims claim. 

Jang Dong-yeop, an activist from People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy who has been assisting the victims, questioned the court’s judgment, saying the chemicals' harmfulness had been reported academically and sufficiently grounded. He called for a fresh investigation into the case by a state committee. 

According to the prosecution, the product caused the deaths of some 100 people between 2002 and 2011.