Government Rejects Declaration of Special Disaster Zone for Kumho Tire Fire

"Not at a Level Requiring National Response"
Gwangsan-gu Plans to Seek Designation as Economic Crisis Zone

The front gate of Kumho Tire's Gwangju factory in Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju, was quiet on the 12th. The Kumho Tire branch of the Metal Workers' Union, which announced that about 2,500 workers lost their jobs due to a fire that occurred on the 17th of last month, issued a press release on this day urging measures to address the threat to their livelihoods. Yonhap News Agency

The government has rejected the declaration of a special disaster zone for the Kumho Tire Gwangju factory fire.

According to Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju, on the 14th, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety sent an official letter on the 12th stating that it could not accept Gwangsan-gu's request to declare a special disaster zone. The ministry explained that, considering the nature of the incident, the scale of the damage, and past cases, it determined that the situation did not require an emergency response at the national level. The ministry further stated its position that "Gwangju City and Gwangsan-gu should address the situation with their own administrative and financial resources."

In addition to the Kumho Tire fire, Gwangsan-gu plans to separately request the government to designate the area as an 'economic crisis zone,' taking into account the successive bankruptcies of local companies such as Winia Electronics. An official from the district said, "Double Star, the holding company, must take responsible action regarding the damage to residents and employment issues," adding, "Evasion of responsibility cannot be tolerated."