"Fire Risk Kimchi Refrigerator at Parents' Home?…Check on Parents' Day"

National Institute of Technology and Standards, Recall Target Promotion Campaign
Winia Lid-Type Models Produced Before September 2005

The National Institute of Technology and Standards under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy is conducting a promotional campaign on Parents' Day to check whether there are any recalled old kimchi refrigerators at parents' homes that pose a fire risk. The target products are 412 models of lid-type Dimchae kimchi refrigerators produced by Winia before September 2005.

Winia Kimchi Refrigerator 'Dimchae' Voluntary Recall Target Models
[Image Source=Korea Agency for Technology and Standards]

These products have a fire risk due to tracking phenomena (where current flows along surfaces with moisture or dust, causing surrounding areas to burn) around the relay component, a switch controlled by electrical signals, after prolonged use. Winia is conducting a voluntary recall. However, many households unaware of this continue to use the products for extended periods, resulting in repeated fires.

The number of fire reports involving these products was 21 in 2020, 198 in 2021, 163 in 2022, and 35 reports were received in the first quarter of this year. An analysis of 417 fires caused by the recalled products by the National Institute of Technology and Standards showed that 94.2% of the kimchi refrigerator owners involved in the fires were aged 50 or older.

Fire Hazard Kimchi Refrigerator Recall Promotion Comic by the National Institute of Technology and Standards
[Image Source=National Institute of Technology and Standards]

Accordingly, the National Institute of Technology and Standards has also produced and distributed promotional comics targeting kindergarteners and elementary, middle, and high school students nationwide to prevent fires. The intention is for grandchildren to check the kimchi refrigerators on behalf of their grandparents. Additionally, they plan to carry out lifestyle-oriented promotions such as SNS campaigns using the Korea Consumer Agency and consumer safety monitoring groups, as well as advertisements at SRT stations.

Jin Jong-wook, head of the National Institute of Technology and Standards, said, "Checking your parents' old kimchi refrigerators this Parents' Day is a special gift of safety," and urged, "If your product is confirmed to be subject to recall, please stop using it and report it to the manufacturer to receive prompt safety measures."

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