[2020 National Audit] Emergency Fire Extinguisher Installation Rate in Traditional Markets Nationwide Only 50.7%

Kim Yong-pan "City and Provincial Governors Must Actively Install Emergency Fire Extinguishing Devices"

[Image source=Office of Kim Yong-pan, People Power Party]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] It has been revealed that only 50.7% of the 1,437 traditional markets nationwide have emergency fire extinguishing devices installed.

According to data on the "Status of Emergency Fire Extinguishing Device Installation in Traditional Markets" submitted by the Fire Agency to Kim Yong-pan, a member of the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee from the People Power Party, out of 1,437 traditional markets nationwide, 728 have emergency fire extinguishing devices installed. By region, Gwangju had the highest installation rate at 84.6%, while Busan had the lowest at 22%. Other regions were surveyed as follows: Gyeongnam 26.8%, Gyeongbuk 34.3%, and Ulsan 40%.

In the case of fires in traditional markets, there are many safety vulnerabilities such as the types of goods handled and difficulties for fire trucks to access during a fire, making it highly likely to lead to large-scale fires. According to data submitted by the Fire Agency, there were a total of 196 traditional market fires in the past four years, resulting in property damage worth 127.8 billion KRW and 21 casualties (0 deaths, 21 injuries). Emergency fire extinguishing devices, which cost approximately 3 to 10 million KRW to install, are designated for installation areas by the city or provincial governor and installed using local budgets such as the fire safety grant tax.

Assemblyman Kim said, "Emergency fire extinguishing devices are the most important equipment to secure the initial golden time during traditional market fires," and added, "City and provincial governors, who have the authority to install these devices, must actively work to install emergency fire extinguishing devices to protect the safety and livelihoods of small business owners, so as to avoid fixing the barn after losing the cow."