Disaster Response Headquarters Activated Immediately After the Fire
Emergency Duty Implemented for All Staff
Rapid Operation of Temporary Shelters, Relief Supplies, and Medical Support
9,610 Damage Reports Filed... Compensation Procedures Begin in Earnest
Requests Made to Government for Special Disaster Area Designation and Comprehensive Support
Gwangsan District in Gwangju has taken a field-oriented approach to minimize resident damages following the fire at the Kumho Tire Gwangju plant that occurred on May 17.
Immediately after the fire, Gwangsan District activated its Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters and placed all employees on emergency duty. Park Byungkyu, the head of Gwangsan District, personally supervised the response at the fire site from May 17 to May 20.
Public officials from Gwangsan District, Gwangju, are moving relief supplies at the temporary shelter in the gymnasium of Gwangju Women's University. Provided by Gwangsan District
The district deployed heavy equipment, including 18 excavators and 6 water trucks, to support the fire authorities and simultaneously implemented measures to prevent contamination of the Hwangryong River. Residents were also informed of the fire situation and safety instructions via text messages.
In response to resident damages caused by smoke and odor, temporary shelters were operated. The first shelter, located in the gymnasium of Gwangju Women's University, accommodated 335 people from 186 households. Currently, a second shelter is operating at the Hanam Danuri Center. The district provided transportation for residents using 12 chartered buses and distributed 370 sets of relief supplies and meals.
A medical consultation desk was set up at the public health center, and public officials distributed 54,570 masks while visiting apartments and commercial buildings to provide evacuation guidance and psychological counseling.
Gwangsan District of Gwangju is operating a reception desk to investigate the status of resident damages related to the Kumho Tire fire. Provided by Gwangsan District
Since May 19, Gwangsan District has been conducting a damage assessment in cooperation with Kumho Tire, and as of May 24, a total of 9,610 cases (5,957 individuals) have been reported. Kumho Tire began compensation procedures for approximately 2,700 people on May 22.
Gwangsan District has urged Kumho Tire to promptly establish and implement a compensation plan and discussed cooperation for the normalization of factory operations. The district also requested the central government to designate the area as a special disaster and employment crisis zone and to provide special grant funding.
Park stated, "The fire authorities who fought the blaze and the public officials who remained on site are true heroes who protected the lives of our residents," adding, "Gwangsan District will do its utmost to ensure full recovery from the damages and the normalization of Kumho Tire."
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