Hong Kong fire raises alarms over Korea’s high-rise safety measures

The deadly blaze that engulfed a densely populated Hong Kong apartment complex has prompted scrutiny in Korea over whether its high-rise residential and commercial buildings are adequately prepared to prevent and respond to similar disasters. High-rise apartment living in Korea has skyrocketed in the past decade. According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the number of buildings with 25 or more floors climbed from 8,268 in 2013 to 21,033 in 2023. Of Korea’s 11.67 million apartment households in 2023, roughly three out of four — 8.96 million — were on the 15th floor or higher. Apartment fires continue to occur at a steady rate each year. According to the National Fire Agency, 2,592 apartment fires were reported from January through October this year, leaving 37 people dead and 338 injured, marking the highest casualty toll in five years. Last year, 3,193 apartment fires nationwide resulted in 28 deaths and 335 injuries. Major fires have also repeatedly occurred in high-rise buildings. In March, a fire broke out at a hotel in the LCT Landmark Tower in Busan’s HWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times