Fire at State Data Hub Shuts Down South Korea’s Online Systems
On Sept. 27, a fire broke out at South Korea’s state data management center, the National Information Resources Service (NIRS) in Daejeon, paralyzing hundreds of online government systems and services. The fire exposed critical vulnerabilities in a country widely regarded as a global leader in technological integration.
According to investigators, a lithium-ion battery exploded during routine maintenance inside a fifth-floor server room, triggering a thermal runaway that intensified the heat beyond immediate containment. Over 170 firefighters and more than 60 emergency vehicles responded, yet the blaze continued through the night before being brought under control.
The scope of the damage was unprecedented. Nearly 650 government-operated digital services ceased functioning, including platforms responsible for tax submissions, customs declarations, identification verification, and emergency communications. The Ministry of the Interior’s website also went offline.
One of the most consequential losses was the destruction of G Drive, a centralized cloud repository utilized by an estimated 750,000 civil servants. Because the system lacked external backup infrastructure, all stored documents were permanently erased. The absence of redundancy drew sharp criticism from experts in data security and public administration.
Vice Interior Minister Kim Min-jae confirmed that 96 systems were completely disabled and would be relocated to an alternative facility in Daegu. Authorities established a temporary situation room at the original site to oversee the restoration. By Oct. 1, only 101 systems had been reactivated, while partial replacements had been arranged for 267 others.
President Lee Jae-myung delivered a public apology and directed his cabinet to submit revised emergency protocols along with budgetary provisions for future infrastructure safeguards. His response came amid renewed scrutiny following a previous data center incident in 2022 that affected nationwide communication platforms.
Law enforcement officials have filed charges of occupational negligence against four individuals associated with the facility’s maintenance operations. Meanwhile, financial losses reported by small merchants reliant on the disrupted postal commerce platform have been estimated at over 12.6 billion won, equivalent to nearly $9 million.
The incident has renewed public scrutiny of South Korea’s dependence on centralized digital systems. Analysts warn that the absence of built-in redundancies leaves vital services acutely vulnerable to disruption. As restoration proceeds, pressure is mounting on policymakers to strengthen data infrastructure with safeguards.
Sean Jung R&D Division Director teen/1761184139/1613367592
1. What caused the fire at South Korea’s National Information Resources Service (NIRS) in Daejeon?
2. Which major government system lost all of its stored files due to the lack of external backup?
3. Who apologized to the public and ordered stronger safety protocols after the incident?
4. Where will the completely disabled systems be relocated to continue operations?
1. How would you feel if all your school or work files were suddenly lost because there was no backup?
2. What do you think the government should do first to prevent another data center fire?
3. Who do you think has the biggest responsibility for keeping important online systems safe ? engineers, government leaders, or companies?
4. If you had to go without online government services for several days, what problems would that cause in your daily life?
On Sept. 27, a fire broke out at South Korea’s state data management center, the National Information Resources Service (NIRS) in Daejeon, paralyzing hundreds of online government systems and services. The fire exposed critical vulnerabilities in a country widely regarded as a global leader in technological integration.
Vice Interior Minister Kim Min-jae confirmed that 96 systems were completely disabled and would be relocated to an alternative facility in Daegu. Authorities established a temporary situation room at the original site to oversee the restoration. By Oct. 1, only 101 systems had been reactivated, while partial replacements had been arranged for 267 others.
