Seoul Raises Reward for Reporting Firefighting Facility Violations... Annual Limit Increased to KRW 3 Million

Blocking Emergency Exits or Neglecting Fire Pumps
KRW 50,000 Reward per Confirmed Violation
Annual Maximum Increased from KRW 2 Million to KRW 3 Million

The annual reward limit for reporting instances of neglected malfunctioning firefighting facilities or blocked emergency exits in Seoul will be raised from KRW 2 million to KRW 3 million.

On August 18, Seoul Metropolitan Government announced that it will release a legislative notice until September 9 concerning a proposed revision to the “Ordinance on the Reporting and Reward System for Violations Related to Firefighting Facilities, Evacuation, and Fire Prevention Facilities in Seoul.”

Fire Safety Inspection Photos of Firefighting Facilities in Multi-use Facilities (Subway Stations). Seoul City

With this revision, the scope of reportable violations related to firefighting facilities will be expanded and the reward amount and its upper limit will increase. The types of facilities covered have grown to 15, including multi-unit dwellings like apartments, cultural and assembly facilities, large-scale retail such as supermarkets, department stores and shopping centers, transportation facilities, medical facilities, sports facilities, officetels, accommodation facilities, entertainment venues, factories, warehouses, tourism rest areas, and multi-use business premises.

Seoul receives reports on cases where fire pumps have been left broken, fire alarms or emergency power have been cut off, thus rendering firefighting facilities inoperative. It is also a violation if required firefighting facilities were never installed. Acts such as sealing off or damaging evacuation or fire prevention facilities, piling up items nearby, or installing obstacles that hinder evacuation or firefighting activities are also subject to reporting.

Reporters must submit evidence like photos or videos to the fire station having jurisdiction within 48 hours of witnessing the violation, using methods such as in-person visits, mail, fax, or information and communications networks. Once a violation is confirmed, a reward of KRW 50,000 per report will be paid either in cash, Onnuri gift certificates, or local currencies.

The reward limit per individual is being raised from the current ceiling of KRW 300,000 per month and KRW 2 million per year to KRW 300,000 per month and KRW 3 million per year. If multiple individuals report the same violation at the same location, only the first reporter will receive the reward.

No reward will be offered for anonymous or pseudonymous reports, false reports, or reports on cases that have already been investigated or resolved. Reports that were coordinated in advance to claim the reward will also be excluded. Firefighting officials, as well as those in related supervision or enforcement positions, will not be eligible for rewards if they report on matters learned during their work duties.

Seoul previously operated a reward system for reporting illegal acts regarding firefighting facilities. However, it was abolished in 2012 due to issues such as the proliferation of professional informants. The system was revived in 2017 amid concerns over potential large-scale fire damages.

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