Seoul to Conduct Fire Safety Inspections at Over 2,700 Polling and Ballot Counting Stations Ahead of Presidential Election

236 Fire Safety Inspectors Deployed for Safety Consulting
Inspection Includes Maintenance of Fire Detection Systems such as Fire Alarms

The Seoul Metropolitan Government will conduct fire safety inspections of polling stations and ballot counting centers ahead of the 21st presidential election scheduled for June 3.

According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government on May 9, the Seoul Fire and Disaster Headquarters will carry out safety inspections at a total of 2,711 locations, including 426 early voting stations, 2,260 polling stations, and 25 ballot counting centers, until May 27.

The GaeBong 2-dong Community Center in Guro-gu, Seoul, where early voting for last month's by-election took place. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

In particular, 236 fire safety inspectors from 25 fire stations will be deployed to provide safety consulting. The main inspection targets include compliance with fire prevention and fire safety management, maintenance of automatic fire detection systems such as fire alarms, maintenance of fire extinguishing equipment such as indoor fire hydrants and sprinklers, and maintenance of evacuation and fire protection facilities.

After the inspections, minor deficiencies will be immediately corrected on site. For serious violations that directly affect citizen safety in the event of a fire, such as blocking, closing, or locking fire safety facilities, the city will strictly enforce a zero-tolerance policy by imposing fines and issuing corrective orders. Kwon Hyukmin, head of the Seoul Fire and Disaster Headquarters, stated, "We will do our utmost to ensure the safety management of polling and ballot counting stations for the presidential election, including thorough fire safety inspections, so that citizens can exercise their precious right to vote."