"Wear KF94 Masks or Face Danger"…Controversy Over Police Criticism Post on 'Hwaseong Tragedy'

"Claims of Working Without Respiratory Equipment at Hwaseong Fire Scene"

A post by an active-duty police officer claiming to have worked without protective breathing equipment under orders from superiors at the site of the Arisel fire in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, which caused dozens of casualties, has sparked controversy on an online community.

On the 25th, a user identifying himself as a police officer belonging to the riot police unit posted a message titled "I am a police officer who went to the Hwaseong fire site" on the anonymous workplace community 'Blind.'

The officer, referred to as A, criticized, "The riot police officers were forced to enter the site contaminated with fire smoke and hazardous substances wearing KF94 masks, which are ineffective, and the irresponsible command simply focused on responding to high-ranking officials visiting the site, telling us to go to the hospital if we get sick."

On the 25th, firefighters and forensic investigators were busily moving around to conduct an on-site investigation at the fire scene of a primary battery manufacturing factory in Hwaseong-si, Gyeonggi Province. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

He added, "(The command) made us work without any protective breathing or fireproof equipment except during meal times," and argued, "What is the point of making us stand meaninglessly on the streets when high-ranking officials visit, and only after they leave do we rotate shifts again? It just looks like a show."

A requested, "If you are going to make us work, at least provide equipment that can protect our bodies," and added, "The reality is that staff are being pushed to the site just to report to the commissioner." This post received over 600 likes and about 200 comments, drawing significant attention.

The police responded by stating that they supplied equipment such as dust masks. The Gyeonggi Nambu Police Agency reportedly deployed one riot police company (about 70 personnel) to the site at noon the day the fire broke out. They worked overnight until 7 a.m. the next day and then were relieved by another riot police unit.