Incheon Coupang Logistics Center Fire Struggles Due to Compromised Firewalls

인cheon's Coupang logistics center fire faced significant challenges due to compromised firewalls. The Incheon Fire Department reported on July 21 that the intense flames melted the fire shutters, which were unable to contain the blaze. "The warehouse was loaded with a large amount of combustible materials, leading to high fire loads and intense radiant heat," the department stated. They added that the compromised firewalls severely hindered efforts to prevent the fire from spreading to surrounding areas.

Additionally, the fire department noted that the building's height of 10 meters made it difficult for firefighting water to penetrate the upper levels where combustible materials were stored. The fire, which broke out at 6:54 a.m. on July 18 at Coupang's 32nd logistics center in Seongnam-dong, Incheon, was complicated by the complex structure of the building and the presence of flammable materials. Firefighters managed to control the main blaze after 61 hours, around 8 p.m. the previous day, and are currently working to extinguish remaining hotspots.

On July 21, the Blue House denied claims regarding personal ties between President Lee and the buyer of his home in Bundang, Seongnam. Following reports that the President and his wife established a mortgage of 1.77 billion won after selling their house, some raised suspicions of a conflict of interest. The spokesperson clarified, "The registration was completed considering the buyer's circumstances, and the mortgage was established transparently based on a civil agreement between the parties." They added that the mortgage pertains to unpaid balances due by the end of October.

Furthermore, they emphasized that the designation of the property for redevelopment occurred during the previous Yoon Suk-yeol administration in November 2024, when the mayor of Seongnam was also affiliated with the People Power Party, dismissing claims of preferential treatment as unfounded.

As of July 21, the search for remains and belongings of victims from the December 29 Jeju Air tragedy has reached its 100th day, with 1,582 items recovered. Among these, 195 items have been confirmed as remains of the victims, while DNA analysis is ongoing for the remaining items. Yun Jae-bok, head of the victims' families' association, stated, "Although 100 days have passed since the search began, many families have yet to receive their loved ones' remains. We hope for a swift resolution to both the recovery of remains and the investigation into the cause of the accident."

The ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting opened in Manila, Philippines, on July 21, with calls for restraint in the U.S.-Iran conflict and the resumption of safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz. In a joint statement, member countries expressed "serious concern" over the potential for renewed hostilities between the U.S. and Iran, warning that it could severely impact trade, food, and energy security in the region. They urged all parties involved to exercise maximum restraint and avoid actions that could escalate the situation. The importance of maintaining maritime safety and security, as well as the freedom of navigation and flight, was also highlighted, calling for the restoration of safe and uninterrupted passage for vessels and aircraft in the Strait of Hormuz.



* This article has been translated by AI.

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