SEOUL, Sept 27 — In a moment of national disruption, South Korea is facing the aftermath of a massive fire that broke out last night at one of its key national data centres in Daejeon, resulting in the paralysis of over 70 critical government services.
The blaze, which is believed to have been triggered by the explosion of a lithium-ion battery — reportedly manufactured by LG Energy Solution — erupted during maintenance operations. The fire quickly escalated into what experts described as a “thermal runaway,” generating extreme heat that hampered firefighting efforts inside the heavily secured and sensitive server room.
Despite the blaze being brought under control early this morning, the impact continues to ripple through public services. Officials confirmed that more than 600 servers remain shut down as a precautionary measure, with emergency crews carefully extracting nearly 400 battery packs from the building to prevent further risk.
The affected data centre — operated by the National Information Resources Services — is one of South Korea’s digital backbones, hosting cloud-based infrastructure for vital government systems across various ministries. This includes platforms such as mobile ID systems, postal services, and the government’s legal database, many of which remain offline.
Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, speaking during a nationally televised emergency meeting, offered a heartfelt apology to the public, acknowledging the deep inconvenience caused. He stressed that tax deadlines would be extended and promised a swift government response to restore the disrupted services.
“There were difficulties in containing the fire because of the nature of critical government systems being concentrated at one site,” Kim explained solemnly.
The internal networks of several agencies in Daejeon and Sejong remain paralysed. With no clear timeline for full restoration, the incident is raising serious questions about the nation’s digital resilience and disaster preparedness, especially in an era where cloud infrastructure is the lifeblood of modern governance.
One person suffered minor injuries. Meanwhile, fire officials confirmed significant damage on the fifth floor — where the fire first erupted — though the broader structure of the centre remains intact.
As investigations into the cause of the explosion continue, LG Energy Solution has withheld comment.
A Wake-Up Call for a Digital Nation
This fire isn’t just about data — it’s about people. Citizens, unable to access essential public services, are being reminded that even the most advanced technologies are not immune to risk. It’s a moment for reflection — and for governments worldwide — to rethink how centralized our digital infrastructure should be.
Behind every disrupted email server and inaccessible website is a real person: a student applying for a scholarship, a family waiting for benefits, or a civil servant trying to serve the public. While South Korea races to recover from this event, it is a powerful reminder of the fragility behind the systems we often take for granted.
Let this not just be a headline, but a human lesson in resilience, responsibility, and the urgent need for fail-safes in an increasingly digital world.
