[PASC General Meeting] Inquiry into the Fire Incident at the Primary Battery Manufacturing Plant

| General Meeting of the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee 2024.07.02.

On July 2 (Tuesday), the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee held a general meeting to inquire into the fire incident at the Aricell factory in Hwaseong. Additionally, a bill proposed by Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, regarding the provision of emergency relief payments of 250,000 to 350,000 KRW to all citizens was introduced, and a review report by a specialist was presented.

* Government attendees: Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min, newly appointed Commissioner of the National Fire Agency Heo Seok-gon

Table of Contents

1. Key Points from the General Meeting of the Public Administration and Security Committee

2. Key Points from the Agency’s Work Report

3. Summary of National Assembly Members' Inquiries Regarding the Hwaseong Factory Fire in Gyeonggi Province

4. Conclusion

2024.07.03.

1. Key Points from the General Meeting of PASC

- Selection of Vice Chairperson: Representative Cho Eun-hee (People Power Party) for the ruling party, Representative Yoon Kun-young (Democratic Party of Korea) for the opposition

- Reports on the response measures by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, including the activation of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters, key activities by the National Fire Agency, and future countermeasures regarding the fire incident at the primary battery manufacturing plant in Hwaseong

* Reasons for the high number of casualties: After the initial explosion, workers attempted to extinguish the fire with extinguishers, but the battery exploded multiple times, rapidly spreading the fire within 42 seconds. The fire near the entrance to the evacuation stairs made it difficult for people to escape, resulting in many casualties due to the heavy toxic smoke.

- A bill proposed by DPK leader Lee Jae-myung regarding the provision of emergency relief payments of 250,000 to 350,000 KRW to all citizens was introduced, and a review report by a chief of committee staff was presented. The bill will be discussed again on July 10.

2. Key Points from the Agency’s Work Report on the Hwaseong Factory Fire

(1) Ministry of the Interior and Safety

1) Key Measures

- Activation of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters emergency response system

- Emergency financial support to Hwaseong City

- Support for memorial altars and funerals

2) Establishment of Preventive Measures T/F

- Composition: Involvement of multiple related ministries to investigate the cause of the accident and review mid- to long-term plans for prevention

- Operation: Discussion of mid- to long-term plans by each ministry to prevent similar accidents, including enhancing the fire resistance of finishing materials (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport), conducting safety inspections of similar high-risk factories and facilities (Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Ministry of Employment and Labor)

(2) National Fire Agency

1) Key Measures

- Dispatch of the Central 119 Rescue Headquarters (support with special equipment such as high-performance chemical trucks)

- Operation of the Central Emergency Rescue Control Group

2) Future Plans

- Emergency fire safety inspections of 213 battery-related factories (expected corrective actions to eliminate fire hazards in advance)

- Promotion of fire safety impact assessments for battery factories (expected revisions to the Building Act and Fire Safety Act)

3. Summary of National Assembly Members' Inquiries Regarding the Hwaseong Factory Fire in Gyeonggi Province

(1) Summary of National Assembly Members' Inquiries

- The National Fire Agency was aware of the risks in the fire activity report but did not take action.

- The factory where the fire occurred was excluded from key fire safety management targets, necessitating a review of the criteria.

- The company’s self-inspection of fire safety was inadequate.

- Research is needed for extinguishing electrical/metal fires.

(2) Summary of Government Responses

- Fire safety inspections will be strengthened.

- Investment in R&D for extinguishers for electrical/metal fires will be made.

4. Conclusion

- Inevitable reinforcement of firefighting-related regulations for future factory permits, factory structural changes, and fire safety inspections due to the battery manufacturing plant fire.

- An emergency fire safety inspection of battery factories is planned.

- The special measures bill proposed by Representative Lee Jae-myung for overcoming the public livelihood crisis will be discussed on July 10.

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