Jung-gu Seoul Releases 'Disaster Response Manual for Foreigners' Following Sogong-dong Hotel Fire

Nation's First "Disaster Response for Foreigners"

Three-Stage System Established

Jung-gu District in Seoul announced on May 11 that it has produced the nation's first “Disaster Response Manual for Foreigners” among all basic local governments, following a hotel fire incident in Sogong-dong last March.

The incident resulted in four foreign casualties and 106 displaced persons, highlighting the need to improve the disaster response system for foreigners. Previously, disaster response measures were limited to reporting basic information such as the identities and injury levels of foreign victims, according to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety’s standard “On-site Disaster Response Manual.” Jung-gu enhanced the effectiveness of its response by addressing issues identified at the scene and incorporating feedback from frontline staff.

Seoul Jung-gu Office building view. Courtesy of Jung-gu Office.

The manual is structured into three stages—initial response, convenience support, and damage compensation—comprising a total of 15 detailed items. Notably, it includes concrete procedures for providing interpretation support, sending disaster text alerts in both Korean and English, and offering tailored services for foreigners.

During the initial response stage, authorities promptly identify and share with Seoul City, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, and other relevant agencies information such as whether casualties or displaced persons possess a passport, their scheduled departure date, and whether they are accompanied by others, as well as their immigration and residency status and injury level. Each country’s embassy is immediately notified through the Ministry of the Interior and Safety. Temporary accommodation is arranged for foreigners who need to evacuate, and dedicated staff are assigned to support bereaved families, families of the missing, and injured persons. Emergency disaster text messages are provided with an English translation.

In the convenience support stage, services include establishing joint memorial altars, assisting with funeral expenses and the repatriation of remains, and supporting bereaved families with immigration and residency matters. Relief items such as emergency and cooking supply kits, interpretation services in various languages, and transportation for convenience are also provided.

At the damage compensation stage, medical expenses and relief funds are provided in accordance with relevant laws and deliberations by the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters. The authorities also check whether the business owner has private insurance and oversee the compensation process. Foreigners registered in Jung-gu are eligible for the district’s safety insurance coverage.

As the number of foreign visitors to Korea increases, the need for a disaster response system specifically tailored to foreign victims is growing. According to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, approximately 4.76 million foreign tourists visited Korea from January to March this year, a 23% increase compared to the same period last year. Jung-gu plans to share the completed manual with other agencies in the future to spread this safety management model.

A district official stated, “We hope that this manual will provide practical help in protecting the safety of foreigners not only in Jung-gu, but also throughout Seoul and Korea,” adding, “We will continue to strengthen our crisis response capabilities to create an even safer city.”

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