How is S. Korea Resuming Operations of its State Computer Network?
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Synopsis
In the wake of a devastating fire caused by a battery explosion, South Korea's interior ministry is taking steps to restore its state computer network. Learn about the recovery efforts and the impact on crucial services in Daejeon.
Key Takeaways
- Gradual restoration of network services underway.
- Over 50 percent of devices are already functioning.
- Critical services affected include mobile identification and online postal services.
- Government committed to transparency during recovery.
- Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing.
Seoul, Sep 28 (NationPress) The interior ministry announced on Sunday that it has commenced the gradual restoration of operations for the administrative computer network at the state data centre located in the central city of Daejeon. This follows a catastrophic incident where a fire, triggered by a battery explosion, severely disrupted the system.
The incident occurred at the National Information Resources Service in Daejeon on Friday, when a lithium-ion battery exploded within a computer room situated on the fifth floor, as reported by the Yonhap news agency.
As of 7 a.m., the government has successfully restored over 50 percent of the network devices at the centre, according to ministry officials.
Out of 767 critical security-related devices, 99 percent have resumed operation, the ministry noted.
The ministry plans to progressively activate 551 computer systems that were unaffected by the fire, to assess whether the online services are functioning correctly.
Among the 647 government network systems at the centre, 96 are believed to have been damaged in the recent fire, including essential services such as the mobile identification system and online postal service.
The affected services encompass 436 public programmes and 211 intranet systems designated for government officials.
"The government is dedicated to promptly restoring the administrative system. We will provide transparent updates regarding the recovery process and the fire's cause," stated Kim Kwang-yong, the head of the Disaster Safety Management Headquarters.
The fire service and police are set to conduct on-site investigations to ascertain the cause of the fire.
Officials confirmed that the explosion took place in one of the centre’s uninterruptible power supply batteries while personnel were in the process of disconnecting them from servers for relocation to the basement.
Authorities reported that the flames were completely extinguished by 6 p.m. on Saturday, approximately 22 hours after the initial outbreak.
Point of View
The incident at the state data centre in Daejeon highlights the vulnerabilities within critical infrastructure. The government's proactive approach to restoring services demonstrates a commitment to transparency and public safety. As recovery efforts continue, it's essential for authorities to address the root cause to prevent future occurrences, ensuring the resilience of our administrative systems.
NationPress
28/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the fire at the state data centre in Daejeon?
The fire was caused by an explosion of a lithium-ion battery in a computer room while workers were disconnecting it from servers.
How much of the network has been restored so far?
As of the latest update, over 50 percent of network devices at the centre have been restored.
What impact has the fire had on government services?
The fire affected 96 out of 647 government network systems, including essential services like the mobile identification system and online postal service.
What measures is the government taking to address this incident?
The government is working to swiftly restore the administrative system and will provide transparent updates on the recovery efforts and the cause of the fire.
When was the fire completely extinguished?
The flames were fully extinguished by 6 p.m. on Saturday, approximately 22 hours after the initial fire broke out.
