Jung-gu, Seoul Mobilizes All Resources to Support Displaced Residents After Sogong-dong Lodging Facility Fire

Interpreter Support for Foreign Guests and Dedicated Care for the Injured

Special Inspections of Small-Scale Lodging Facilities

Jung-gu, Seoul (District Mayor Kim Gilseong) announced on March 15 that it is making every effort to support approximately 120 people displaced by a fire at a lodging facility in Sogong-dong on the afternoon of March 14. The district completed the transfer of evacuees to temporary accommodations in the early hours of March 15 and held an emergency disaster and safety countermeasures meeting that morning to initiate follow-up support measures.

Morning view of the Jung-gu Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Meeting on the 15th. Provided by Jung-gu.

Immediately after the fire, the district dispatched around 80 staff members to the scene, and Mayor Kim Gilseong also held a countermeasures meeting on site with related agencies such as the fire department and police. A temporary shelter was quickly set up at the Sogong-dong Community Service Center. Considering the large number of foreign guests, interpreter volunteers and multilingual staff were also deployed.

The district urgently secured four temporary accommodations and used district buses to assist evacuees with transportation. Emergency food kits, blankets, water, and snacks were provided, and dedicated staff were assigned to each temporary shelter for close management.

Support for the injured is also ongoing. Of the four people transferred to hospitals, one with minor injuries has been discharged, while the remaining three have been confirmed as two with serious injuries and one with minor injuries. The district has assigned dedicated staff to each individual for support. After the site inspection, district buses will help guests retrieve their personal belongings, and in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the district will assist foreign tourists in returning safely to their home countries.

Starting March 16, the district will conduct special fire safety inspections of small-scale lodging facilities such as guesthouses and plans to request strengthened fire prevention and safety management measures from all accommodation businesses.

Mayor Kim Gilseong stated, "We are doing our utmost to respond and provide support so that evacuees, including foreign tourists, do not experience any inconvenience," adding, "We will work closely with relevant agencies to thoroughly support victims and conduct comprehensive safety inspections."

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