A fire broke out at the National Hangeul Museum in Yongsan District, Seoul, at 8:42 a.m. on Feb. 1, prompting an emergency response from firefighters. The fire originated on the third floor, where construction work was underway, and quickly spread to the fourth floor.
The Yongsan Fire Station dispatched 260 personnel and 76 firefighting units, issuing a Level One response. The fire was brought under control by 12:31 p.m., though full extinguishment took longer due to flammable materials inside the building. One firefighter sustained minor injuries from falling steel debris during the operation but is in stable condition.
Six construction workers were inside the building when the fire broke out. Four evacuated on their own, while the other two were rescued. Authorities suspect that sparks from construction work ignited the fire.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism confirmed that all 26 cultural properties, including a Korean-translated book of episodes from the life of Shakyamuni Buddha and King Jeongjo’s letters, were safely transported to the National Museum of Korea by 11:09 a.m.
The National Hangeul Museum, which has been closed for expansion since October 2024, has been undergoing renovations to accommodate increased visitor demand. Authorities continue to investigate the exact cause of the fire.