Strengthening Fire Management in Traditional Markets... Materials Must Be Rated 'Fire-Resistant' or Higher

Approval of the Amendment to the Enforcement Decree of the Special Act on Fostering Traditional Markets and Shopping Districts at the Cabinet Meeting

The Ministry of SMEs and Startups announced that the amendment to the Enforcement Decree of the Special Act on the Promotion of Traditional Markets and Shopping Districts, which mandates the use of flame-retardant or higher-grade materials for 'rain covers and safety facilities' used within traditional markets, was approved at the Cabinet meeting on the 16th and will be enforced starting May 1.

Due to repeated incidents where traditional markets were completely destroyed by fire and market merchants lost their livelihoods, concerns have been raised that materials used within traditional markets should be flame-retardant materials resistant to fire.

In the early morning of the 21st, a fire broke out at the Cheongnyangni fruit and vegetable market in Seoul. Firefighters are extinguishing the remaining flames at a fruit shop. (Photo by Yonhap News)

In response to these concerns, to protect traditional markets and market merchants from fire, the Enforcement Decree of the Special Act on the Promotion of Traditional Markets and Shopping Districts was amended at the Cabinet meeting last October to require the use of materials with a flame-retardant grade or higher.

This Enforcement Decree specifies the flame-retardant grade or higher materials delegated by law as the materials defined in the Enforcement Decree of the Building Act, namely 'flame-retardant materials, non-combustible materials, and semi-non-combustible materials.'

Oh Young-joo, Minister of SMEs and Startups, stated, "With the use of fire-resistant materials, the safety of traditional markets, which has been vulnerable until now, is expected to improve significantly," adding, "We will continue to create a safe environment for traditional markets and shopping districts, which are the livelihoods of merchants, so that they can focus on their businesses with peace of mind."

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