Ministry of Social Security issues directive

The Ministry of Social Security in North Korea has issued a directive for comprehensive fire safety inspections throughout the month of July.

This order follows a fire incident at the Daesong department store in Pyongyang, as reported by Daily NK.

A source from Kangwon Province, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: “A directive from the Ministry of Social Security was issued to the provincial safety department earlier this month, designating July as the period for inspections of fire-related law enforcement and conducting thorough fire safety inspections by province.”

The directive was prompted by a fire that occurred on July 3 when a portable gas canister exploded in the store’s food storage room.

The fire extinguishers were empty, and basic tools like sandbags and water buckets were unavailable, hindering fire control efforts.

Detailed inspections and equipment checks

The directive emphasises the necessity of inspecting all firefighting facilities and equipment.

The Ministry of Social Security noted the Daesong department store fire in its directive, stressing the need to rectify any deficiencies in firefighting tools.

The Ministry stated: “This inspection would be an important turning point in protecting people’s lives and property.”

It instructed provincial safety departments to complete the inspections by the end of July and report on measures taken to ensure all firefighting equipment is secured.

The police agency reiterated that fire prevention and quick response are the primary objectives.

It highlighted the importance of educating personnel on fire response protocols and conducting related training sessions.

Inadequate fire safety infrastructure

Despite the directive, the source noted that only a few personnel are well-versed in fire response rules.

Many sites lack essential equipment, with only basic tools like sandbags and water buckets available.

Officials from the provincial police agency and inspection sites have expressed concern over the disparity between North Korea’s advanced military capabilities and its inadequate fire safety infrastructure.

They call for modernising facilities and equipment to address this technological gap.

Concerns and future steps

The officials stress the importance of aligning fire safety measures with the country’s overall technological advancements.

They advocate for better equipping and updating firefighting infrastructure to prevent future incidents.

Daily NK collaborates with sources in North Korea, China, and other locations, keeping their identities anonymous for security reasons.