Ministry of Science and ICT Enters Emergency Work Mode... Internet Post Office Website Also Inaccessible

Crisis Response Headquarters Convened
"Caution" Level Crisis Alert Issued

The Ministry of Science and ICT announced on the 27th that, due to a fire at the National Information Resources Service, system failures are occurring across the Ministry and its affiliated agencies' websites, internal administrative systems, and the Internet Post Office. The Ministry stated that it had immediately convened the 'Crisis Response Headquarters' and switched to a 24-hour emergency work system.

The Internet Post Office website is currently inaccessible.

The Ministry of Science and ICT explained that, following the fire at the National Information Resources Service that occurred the previous day, major administrative systems under its jurisdiction are experiencing failures. In accordance with the manual, the Ministry held an emergency situation assessment meeting and issued a "caution" level crisis alert to facilitate a swift response.

As of 1:00 a.m. on the 27th, both the Ministry of Science and ICT website and the Internet Post Office website are inaccessible. In contrast, websites of agencies under the Ministry that utilize the Daegu National Information Resources Service Center, such as the Korea Aerospace Administration, the four major institutes of science and technology, and government-funded research institutes, are accessible as usual.

The email system is also not functioning, so press releases distributed by the Ministry of Science and ICT to reporters were sent via text message or by photographing printed materials and delivering them through KakaoTalk.

A representative from the Ministry of Science and ICT added that they will work closely with the Ministry of the Interior and Safety to ensure that no damage is caused to the public.

According to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and the National Fire Agency, at approximately 8:20 p.m. on the 26th, a lithium battery fire broke out on the fifth floor of the National Information Resources Service in Hwaam-dong, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon. The National Information Resources Service is where public institutions' IT systems are concentrated. Due to the fire, a total of 70 systems-including 12 first-grade and 58 second-grade systems, such as the mobile identification system-were affected and services were suspended. The websites of central government ministries and the government email system are also currently inaccessible.