@article{ART003297187},
author={Kim Seongho and Woochan S. Shim and Jang, Gyeong-woo},
title={A Christian Social Ethical Reflection on Companion Animal Loss in the Humidifier Disinfectant Disaster},
journal={The Korean Journal of Chiristian Social Ethics},
issn={1229-8387},
year={2025},
number={63},
pages={313-343}
TY - JOUR
AU - Kim Seongho
AU - Woochan S. Shim
AU - Jang, Gyeong-woo
TI - A Christian Social Ethical Reflection on Companion Animal Loss in the Humidifier Disinfectant Disaster
JO - The Korean Journal of Chiristian Social Ethics
PY - 2025
VL - null
IS - 63
PB - The Society Of Korean Christian Social Ethics
SP - 313
EP - 343
SN - 1229-8387
AB - This study analyzes how the humidifier disinfectant disaster simultaneously harmed humans and companion animals living in the same household environment, drawing on in-depth interviews with nine bereaved caregivers. The findings show that animals displayed early signs of toxic exposure, yet institutional responses failed to recognize nonhuman victims as part of the disaster-affected population. Caregivers, who regarded their animals as family, faced socially unacknowledged loss, resulting in intensified disenfranchised grief. Some participants eventually moved beyond isolated mourning and became public actors demanding accountability from corporations and the state.
These results reveal the limitations of anthropocentric disaster frameworks and underscore the need to incorporate human–animal–environment interdependence into disaster response through a One Health perspective. The study also suggests that Christian social ethics, particularly the tradition of creation care, can provide a basis for understanding companion-animal loss as a matter of public mourning and for expanding theological and social-welfare discourse.
KW - humidifier disinfectant;companion animal loss;disenfranchised grief;disaster response;One Health;Creation Care
DO -
UR -
ER -
Kim Seongho, Woochan S. Shim and Jang, Gyeong-woo. (2025). A Christian Social Ethical Reflection on Companion Animal Loss in the Humidifier Disinfectant Disaster. The Korean Journal of Chiristian Social Ethics, 63, 313-343.
Kim Seongho, Woochan S. Shim and Jang, Gyeong-woo. 2025, "A Christian Social Ethical Reflection on Companion Animal Loss in the Humidifier Disinfectant Disaster", The Korean Journal of Chiristian Social Ethics, no.63, pp.313-343.
Kim Seongho, Woochan S. Shim, Jang, Gyeong-woo "A Christian Social Ethical Reflection on Companion Animal Loss in the Humidifier Disinfectant Disaster" The Korean Journal of Chiristian Social Ethics 63 pp.313-343 (2025) : 313.
Kim Seongho, Woochan S. Shim, Jang, Gyeong-woo. A Christian Social Ethical Reflection on Companion Animal Loss in the Humidifier Disinfectant Disaster. 2025; 63 : 313-343.
Kim Seongho, Woochan S. Shim and Jang, Gyeong-woo. "A Christian Social Ethical Reflection on Companion Animal Loss in the Humidifier Disinfectant Disaster" The Korean Journal of Chiristian Social Ethics no.63(2025) : 313-343.
Kim Seongho; Woochan S. Shim; Jang, Gyeong-woo. A Christian Social Ethical Reflection on Companion Animal Loss in the Humidifier Disinfectant Disaster. The Korean Journal of Chiristian Social Ethics, 63, 313-343.
Kim Seongho; Woochan S. Shim; Jang, Gyeong-woo. A Christian Social Ethical Reflection on Companion Animal Loss in the Humidifier Disinfectant Disaster. The Korean Journal of Chiristian Social Ethics. 2025; 63 313-343.
Kim Seongho, Woochan S. Shim, Jang, Gyeong-woo. A Christian Social Ethical Reflection on Companion Animal Loss in the Humidifier Disinfectant Disaster. 2025; 63 : 313-343.
Kim Seongho, Woochan S. Shim and Jang, Gyeong-woo. "A Christian Social Ethical Reflection on Companion Animal Loss in the Humidifier Disinfectant Disaster" The Korean Journal of Chiristian Social Ethics no.63(2025) : 313-343.
