The Fire Agency announced it will conduct inspections of 512 buildings nationwide, including 143 high-rise structures and 369 underground-linked complexes, as part of the '2026 Second Half Disaster Response and Support System Inspection.' The inspections began on November 5 and will continue for six weeks until December 17.
Local governments will assess the disaster response and safety management of the buildings under their jurisdiction. For key facilities, joint inspections will be carried out with private experts in architecture, electrical, mechanical, and fire safety fields.
The inspections will focus on the initial response teams' composition and operation, as well as training practices to ensure rapid communication of fire situations and effective evacuation guidance before firefighters arrive. The maintenance status of equipment in evacuation safety zones, the operation of comprehensive disaster control rooms, and the safety of residents and users during evacuations will also be evaluated.
If any legal violations are identified during the inspections, administrative actions such as fines will be imposed. However, minor issues will be addressed through on-site guidance and safety consulting to encourage voluntary improvements. Successful cases will be shared with local governments across the country.
Song Ho-young, head of the Fire Prevention Bureau at the Fire Agency, stated, "High-rise buildings have complex internal structures and many users, making rapid communication of situations and systematic evacuation guidance crucial during disasters. We will verify the on-site disaster response systems through these inspections and make necessary improvements."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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