Minister Yoon Hojoong Orders Full Mobilization of Personnel for Eumseong Fire: "Prevent Wildfire Spread"

Fire of Unknown Origin Breaks Out at Manufacturing Plant, Spreads to Nearby Factories
Two Foreign Employees Remain Unaccounted For
Fire Authorities Deploy Four Helicopters for Containment Efforts

On January 30, Minister of the Interior and Safety, Hojoong Yoon, ordered that all available personnel and equipment be fully mobilized in response to the factory fire in Eumseong County, Chungbuk. He also instructed authorities to take thorough measures to prevent the fire from spreading to the surrounding forests.

On the afternoon of the 30th, a fire broke out at a household goods manufacturing factory located in Eumseong, Chungbuk, and the fire department is conducting firefighting operations. Photo by the Fire Department

At approximately 2:56 p.m. on January 30, a fire of unknown origin broke out at a household goods manufacturing factory in Maengdong-myeon, Eumseong County, Chungbuk, and has since spread to neighboring factories.

Immediately after the fire, 81 out of 83 employees working at the factory evacuated. However, a Nepalese employee in his 20s and an Uzbek employee in his 50s remain unaccounted for.

Minister Yoon urgently instructed all relevant agencies-including the National Fire Agency, National Police Agency, Chungcheongbuk-do Province, and Eumseong County-to fully mobilize all available personnel and equipment to focus on rescuing people and extinguishing the fire.

Minister Yoon also emphasized the need to prevent casualties, safety accidents, and the spread of wildfires. He stated, "Authorities must proactively establish defensive lines to prevent embers from spreading to the surrounding forests and causing wildfires. The police must also ensure strict control of the area around the fire scene."

This factory produces wet wipes, diapers, and similar products, and it has been reported that no hazardous chemicals or dangerous materials are handled at the site.

However, the fire has already spread to a nearby circuit breaker manufacturing company. Embers carried by the wind also caused the fire to spread to a nearby hill about 500 meters away, but it was extinguished by 4:10 p.m.

The fire department has issued a Level 2 response, deploying 105 personnel, 56 pieces of equipment, and 4 helicopters to conduct firefighting operations. Once the flames are under control, authorities plan to investigate the exact cause of the fire and assess the extent of the damage.