President Lee Vows Vigilance and Comprehensive Measures in Response to Coupang Logistics Center Fire in Incheon

"National Fire Mobilization Order Issued, Full Efforts for Extinguishment"
"Principle of Proactive Prevention Over After-the-Fact Response, Disaster Management System to Be Improved"
"Protecting the Lives of the People Is the Fundamental Reason for a Nation's Existence"

President Lee Jae-myung stated on July 18 that, regarding the large-scale fire at the Coupang Logistics Center in Incheon, "We will remain vigilant and respond without letting our guard down until the flames are fully subdued and the situation is stabilized." Following recent fires at logistics warehouses in Gyeonggi Province and a series of fires at major logistics facilities, the government has decided to conduct a thorough inspection of the overall safety management system for these facilities and to prepare comprehensive measures to prevent recurrence.

President Lee Jae-myung is seen asking questions to heads of attending agencies during a ministry work report held at the Blue House State Guesthouse on July 16, 2026. Photo by Blue House Press Photographers Group, Yonhap News Agency

In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on the same day, President Lee said, "The government has issued a National Fire Mobilization Order, mobilizing all available resources and doing everything possible to extinguish the fire." He expressed his gratitude by stating, "I deeply thank the firefighters who are working tirelessly at the scene, day and night," and urged, "Residents nearby, please pay close attention to your safety and follow the instructions given by the government and local authorities."

The fire broke out at around 6:54 a.m. on the 6th floor of Coupang Logistics Center No. 32 in Seoknam-dong, Seohae-gu, Incheon, and spread to the 7th floor along the exterior wall of the building. It was reported that 121 people, including logistics center employees, evacuated on their own. Due to the large quantity of flammable materials such as daily necessities stored inside the logistics center, firefighting efforts faced difficulties, leading the National Fire Agency to issue a National Fire Mobilization Order in the afternoon.

President Lee stated, "We will thoroughly investigate the cause of this fire and inspect the overall safety management system of major logistics facilities to draw up effective comprehensive measures so that such accidents are not repeated." He also called upon businesses and those on-site: "Please make even greater efforts to ensure that fire prevention facility checks and maintenance—as well as workplace safety rules—are strictly observed on-site."

At around 6:54 a.m. on the 18th, a fire broke out on the 6th floor of the Coupang logistics center in Seoknam-dong, Seohae District, Incheon, and smoke continued to rise until the afternoon of that day. July 18, 2026, Yonhap News Agency

President Lee referred to the recent series of disasters—including heatwaves, heavy rainfall, and large-scale fires—and emphasized the fundamental need to improve the disaster management system. He said, "The scale and nature of disasters are becoming increasingly complex," and added, "We will continue to reinforce the disaster management system with the principle of proactive prevention and swift response, rather than merely addressing the aftermath." He reiterated, "We must never forget that the fundamental reason for the existence of a nation is to protect the lives and safety of its people."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.