Consumer Agency Urges Recall of Winiar Old Kimchi Refrigerators Following Series of Fires...

Products subject to recall (Photo by Consumer Agency)

The Korea Consumer Agency and the National Institute of Technology and Standards urged on the 23rd to stop using Winia kimchi refrigerators manufactured before September 2005 and to promptly undergo recall procedures.

The problematic products are 412 models of lid-type kimchi refrigerators. These products have been subject to voluntary recalls by the manufacturer since December 2020 due to the risk of fire caused by short circuits from aging parts. However, as fires caused by these products have continued to occur, the Consumer Agency reissued a safety advisory and urged users to stop using them. Considering that it has been over 17 years since these products were produced and it is difficult to track purchase histories, the Consumer Agency and the National Institute of Technology and Standards are conducting comprehensive promotional activities to encourage recalls. As a result, 1.46 million units, accounting for 52.69% of the 2.78 million units subject to recall, have been recalled.

Taking into account natural reductions such as disposal due to the age of the products, it is estimated that about 47,000 units are still in use by consumers as of December last year. An analysis of 909 kimchi refrigerator fire cases over the past three years by the Consumer Agency showed that 79.9% involved Winia products, and among 567 cases where the manufacturing date was confirmed, 94% were products manufactured before September 2005. Particularly, an analysis of fires involving these products after the recall implementation revealed that 68.8% of the victims were elderly people aged 60 or older, indicating the need for caution.

Meanwhile, Winia has decided to conduct a compensation sale for repurchasing customers throughout March to complete the recall process.