A fire broke out on February 1, 2025, at the National Hangeul Museum located in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, at approximately 8:40 AM. The blaze commenced during construction works, presumably caused by sparks from metal cutting, igniting flammable materials stored on the premises. The museum has been undergoing renovation since last October, and luckily, it was closed to the public at the time of the incident.
Firefighters from the Yongsan Fire Department responded swiftly to the emergency, deploying 39 fire engines and more than 140 personnel. They arrived on the scene within minutes, battling the flames which had moved from the third to the fourth floor. Upon gaining access to the building, they encountered several challenges due to materials stacked on the fourth floor, complicing efforts to gain full control of the situation.
Eyewitness accounts described thick smoke billowing from the roof, but fortunately, there were no reported casualties among museum visitors, as it was unoccupied due to the renovations. Fire department officials confirmed, "Only one firefighter sustained minor injuries, and all workers trapped inside have been rescued," underscoring the efficiency of the evacuation efforts.
Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Yoo Insik, visited the site to assess the situation and coordinate with firefighting teams. During his visit, he stated, "We are working closely with the firefighting team to mitigate risks and protect our heritage," highlighting the dual focus of the day: extinguishing the fire and safeguarding invaluable cultural artifacts.
Despite the stress of the day, the museum's proactive measures ensured the safety of numerous significant items. Over 250 unique artifacts and national treasures had been safely secured from the premises and transported to the nearby National Museum of Korea. This effort to relocate high-value objects was initiated shortly after the fire broke out, as the Ministry was aware of the potential risks.
Local government officials and the fire department informed the community as it unfolded, sending alerts and asking residents to close windows and avoid the area surrounding the museum. Many inhabitants expressed their relief at the swift action taken by authorities, commenting on how fortunate it was to avoid tragedy because the museum was closed for renovations.
The museum, which opened its doors to celebrate the cultural richness of the Hangeul script on October 9, 2014, houses numerous artifacts, including the 'King Jeongjo's Hangeul Letter Collection' and the oldest known book written in Korean, 'Cheonggu Yeongwon.' Such relics highlight the significance of the museum's collection and the urgency of protecting it during emergencies.
Officials have initiated investigations to determine the root cause of the fire, focusing their attention on the renovation work occurring within the museum. The quick response from the fire team has been praised, and investigators are gathering to learn from this incident to prevent future emergencies.
At this time, as firefighting operations continue and initial investigations wrap up, the impacted areas of the museum remain monitored closely. Firefighters have expressed confidence about containing the fire without causing damages to the structure itself or irreplaceable artifacts.
The National Hangeul Museum will proceed with its plans to reopen as soon as renovations are complete and, with continued collaboration with safety authorities, is expected to implement additional safety protocols to navigate potential crisis situations more effectively.