Mass Parathion Poisoning and Establishment of Pesticide Control Act in Korea

Abstract

This study examines how poisoning and toxicity of pesticides were shaped by the introduction of organically synthesized pesticides in South Korea. In particular, the study focus on the 1956 parathion mass poisoning in Gyeongbuk Province, which resulted in a large number of deaths due to poisoning and was a direct trigger for the enactment of the Pesticide Control Act. Also, the study examine the changes in health problems and social responses to the emergence of new pesticides technologies. First, identify the policy and technological background of the introduction of new brand of organophosphate pesticides in 1950s Korea, and examine the process by which the medical understanding of pesticide poisoning was formed. The policy responses that emerged from these technical and medical understandings, as well as the processes of deliberate concealment and ignorance regarding the mass poisoning was analysed. Thus, a new technological element – organophosphate pesticides - has influenced the formation of chemical regulation in South Korea, based on previous Japanese experiences. Yet, medical knowledge and treatment options were rapidly adopted, but policy implementation had severe limitation to regulate highly toxic pesticides. Also, the Pesticide Control Act failed the address issue of pesticide poisoning as public health problem, rather creating further dilemma as Parathion became common choice of suicidal drugs.