Hwaseong Publishes "Hwaseong Aricell Factory Fire White Paper"

On July 3, the city of Hwaseong in Gyeonggi Province published a white paper summarizing the response and recovery process following last year's Aricell factory fire.

This white paper covers the entire disaster response process, from the initial response to recovery and institutional improvements. The city plans to distribute the white paper sequentially to local governments nationwide.

The Aricell factory fire occurred on June 24 last year at the Aricell lithium battery plant in Jeongok Industrial Complex, resulting in 23 deaths and 8 injuries.

A city official explained, "The white paper goes beyond a simple accident report and serves as a practical manual," adding, "It was prepared to share the city's know-how and experience so that rapid and systematic responses can be made in the event of similar disasters."

The white paper, totaling 320 pages, consists of six chapters: an overview and timeline of the fire, initial on-site response and establishment of a response system, recovery activities, support for victims and bereaved families, measures to prevent recurrence and industrial safety issues, and interviews and personal accounts from those involved at the scene.

In particular, the white paper strengthens its focus on the on-site experience by including testimonies and records from firefighters, interpreters, public officials, and citizen volunteers who participated in rescue and recovery efforts, making it more than just an administrative document.

The city plans to distribute printed copies of the white paper to administrative agencies involved in the accident response, Gyeonggi Province, all 31 cities and counties, all departments and towns, townships, and neighborhoods within city hall, the city council, and related organizations. In addition, it will be distributed in e-book format to local governments nationwide. The white paper will also be posted on the city hall's online platform so that any citizen can access it.

Jung Myung-geun, Mayor of Hwaseong, stated, "This white paper is both a 'book of remembrance' containing the lessons of a painful accident and a 'book of preparation' for future disasters," adding, "The city will continue to prioritize the protection of citizens' lives and safety above all else."