Gyeonggi Special Judicial Police Crack Down on Illegal Distribution of Uncertified Firefighting Equipment

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Gyeonggi Province is cracking down on the illegal distribution of unapproved firefighting equipment from the United States.

The Gyeonggi Province Special Judicial Police announced on the 28th that, to prevent winter fires, they will conduct an intensive investigation into the illegal distribution of unapproved firefighting equipment at lodging facilities within the province from October 4 to December 3.

The investigation targets 100 lodging facilities and officetels completed within the last three years in the province, focusing on devices such as portable escape devices, standalone smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, detectors, and emergency lights.

The main inspection points include ▲ manufacturing, importing, selling, and distributing unapproved firefighting equipment (punishable by up to 3 years imprisonment or a fine up to 30 million KRW) ▲ illegal acts such as installation or tacit approval of unapproved firefighting equipment (punishable by up to 1 year imprisonment or a fine up to 10 million KRW) ▲ acts that disable or block firefighting facilities, making normal operation impossible at all times (punishable by up to 5 years imprisonment or a fine up to 5,000 KRW).

To manufacture, sell, or install firefighting equipment for distribution, prior type approval and product inspection must be obtained according to standards set by the Fire Agency Chief.

Yoon Tae-wan, head of the Gyeonggi Special Judicial Police, emphasized, "We will thoroughly investigate to prevent the distribution and installation of unapproved firefighting equipment that directly affects public safety, and all illegal products will be recalled and replaced."