Seoul City Issues Recall for Aging Kimchi Refrigerators with High Fire Risk

85% of Related Fires in the Past 5 Years Caused by Electrical Factors

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] The Seoul Fire and Disaster Headquarters announced on the 2nd that it has induced voluntary product recalls for aging kimchi refrigerators from Company A, which have a high risk of fire.

During the analysis of fire statistics and ignition causes of kimchi refrigerators, the Fire and Disaster Headquarters confirmed that fires were continuously occurring in specific parts of this manufacturer's products. Together with the National Institute of Technology and Standards, they ordered the manufacturer to recall kimchi refrigerators produced during a specific period.

In the past five years, there have been a total of 239 kimchi refrigerator fires, increasing annually with 42 cases in 2016, 49 in 2017, 53 in 2018, and 56 in 2019. This year alone, 39 cases occurred from January to August. The highest proportion of fires involved kimchi refrigerators manufactured by Company A, with products made between 2001 and 2004 accounting for 77.3% of these cases.

By cause, 85.8% (205 cases) of all kimchi refrigerator fires were due to electrical factors. Similarly, 85% of the fires involving Company A's kimchi refrigerators were caused by electrical issues.

The Fire and Disaster Headquarters explained that during long-term use of kimchi refrigerators, insulation damage occurred on relay contacts and PCB (Printed Circuit Board) substrates, and ignition was caused by poor contact at the relay contact points.

Jang Man-seok, Head of the Field Response Division at the Seoul Fire and Disaster Headquarters, said, "In many cases, after purchasing a new kimchi refrigerator, the old one is not discarded but placed on balconies (verandas) or utility rooms and used as a multipurpose refrigerator." He added, "Kimchi refrigerators have insulation on all four sides of the outer shell, so in case of fire, a large amount of toxic smoke is generated, posing a very high risk to human life, so caution is necessary."