Super-Tall and Underground-Linked Buildings Face Nationwide Safety Inspections... 512 Buildings to Be Checked

Inspection of 376 complexes nationwide to run for six weeks from Nov. 5
Focus on general disaster managers and refuge areas

A comprehensive inspection will be conducted to assess safety management at super-tall buildings and complex buildings connected to underground spaces, where major disasters such as fires could cause significant loss of life.

Firefighters conduct a fire suppression drill during the “Private-Sector-Led Fire Drill for Supertall Buildings” at Tower Palace in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, on the 14th. Photo by Kang Jinhyung aymsdream@

The National Fire Agency will conduct an inspection of disaster response and support systems in the second half of 2026 over approximately six weeks, from November 5 to December 17. The inspection will cover 376 complexes, comprising 512 buildings nationwide, to strengthen disaster response systems at super-tall buildings and complex buildings connected to underground spaces.

The inspection will cover a total of 512 buildings: 143 super-tall buildings and 369 complex buildings connected to underground spaces nationwide. As buildings have grown larger and more complex in recent years, the risks involved in evacuation and firefighting during a blaze have increased. The inspection is intended to eliminate potential hazards in advance and improve the effectiveness of on-site safety management.

Local governments will assess the overall conditions of buildings under their jurisdiction. For major facilities with high disaster risk or a strong need for safety consulting, joint inspection teams will be formed, with participation from local governments and private-sector experts in architecture, electricity, machinery, and firefighting.

Key inspection items include: ▲whether disaster prevention and damage mitigation plans have been established and implemented; ▲whether a general disaster manager has been appointed and is carrying out their duties; ▲the operation, education, and training of initial response teams; ▲the operation of central disaster prevention rooms and systems for relaying disaster information; and ▲the installation and maintenance of refuge areas.

In particular, inspectors will closely examine how initial response teams operate to ensure that information is relayed promptly and evacuees are guided to safety before firefighters arrive. They will also focus on the condition of equipment in refuge areas, monitoring and control systems, and measures to protect building occupants, including people vulnerable in emergencies.

The National Fire Agency plans to take strict administrative measures, such as issuing corrective orders or imposing fines, for violations of laws and regulations identified during the inspections. For minor shortcomings in management, it will encourage voluntary improvements through on-site guidance and consulting. It also plans to share identified best practices nationwide and incorporate necessary measures into relevant laws and regulations.

"Because super-tall buildings and similar facilities have complex internal layouts and many occupants, promptly relaying information and guiding people through an orderly evacuation are more important than anything else in an emergency," said Song Ho-young, director of the Fire Prevention Bureau at the National Fire Agency. "We will carefully verify through on-site inspections whether disaster response systems are functioning properly and work to address any shortcomings."

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