🚨 National Information Resources Service

Today Korean Social News for Beginners | 2025.10.04

0️⃣ Computer Network Breakdown and Recovery Delays After Fire

📌 National Information Resources Service Fire: Slow Recovery Raises Concerns About System Failures Again

💬 A fire at the National Information Resources Service in Daejeon has paralyzed major government computer networks for 8 days now. The recovery rate remains around 17%, and some restored systems are breaking down again, increasing public anxiety. The Internet Post Office and government employee email systems stopped working one after another, causing more inconvenience to citizens. Experts say full recovery could take up to six months. Meanwhile, a government worker handling recovery work made a tragic decision, shocking the public service community. Police are investigating whether lithium battery power was properly managed when the fire started.

💡 Summary

• The National Information Resources Service fire paralyzed government computer networks, with only 17% recovered after 8 days.
• Even restored systems are breaking down again, increasing public frustration and distrust.
• A government worker handling recovery made a tragic decision, raising concerns about work overload.

1️⃣ Definition

The National Information Resources Service is a key agency under the Ministry of the Interior and Safety that manages all government computer networks for central ministries and local governments. It operates centers in Daejeon and Gwangju, handling data storage, backup, and security for major national information systems.

This fire stopped many systems at once, raising safety concerns about the centralized management structure of national computer infrastructure. It revealed a weakness: when government digital services are concentrated in one place, a single failure can cause widespread damage.

💡 Why is this important?

• It is the key agency responsible for stable operation of major national information systems.
• It manages computer networks that provide public services closely connected to citizens' daily lives.
• It shows the weakness that a single failure can lead to nationwide administrative paralysis.
• It reminds us of the importance of backup systems and disaster response plans for national computer infrastructure.

2️⃣ Fire Incident Status and Recovery Delay Problems

📕 Fire Outbreak and Initial Response

• Large-scale computer network breakdown occurred. Key facts are:

  • A fire at the National Information Resources Service in Daejeon stopped major government computer systems all at once.
  • Internal work systems and public services for central ministries, local governments, and public agencies were all affected.
  • Services directly connected to citizens' lives stopped, including Internet Post Office, government employee email, and electronic document systems.
  • Eight days after the fire, the recovery rate is only 17%, raising concerns about long delays.

• Limits of initial response were revealed. Main problems are:

  • The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters was activated, but recovery speed is slower than expected.
  • Backup systems and redundancy measures did not work properly, delaying recovery.
  • Switching to the Gwangju center was not smooth, confirming the risk of a single point of failure.
  • Critics point out that quick response during the golden time did not happen.

📕 Recovery Process Problems and Concerns About Recurrence

• Even restored systems are unstable. Main problems are:

  • Some restored systems are breaking down again.
  • The Internet Post Office broke down again after recovery, increasing public inconvenience.
  • The government employee email system is also unstable, continuing to disrupt government work.
  • Experts predict full recovery could take up to 6 months.

• Recovery work is very difficult. Key facts are:

  • Not only physical damage from the fire, but the data restoration process is also complex.
  • Systems are highly connected, requiring step-by-step recovery, which takes a long time.
  • Work overload on recovery staff raises concerns about mistakes or errors.
  • System stability verification is also needed, further slowing recovery speed.

💡 Main Issues of the National Information Resources Service Fire

1. Weakness of centralized management: Structural problem where single center failure leads to nationwide paralysis
2. Insufficient backup system: Recovery delayed because redundancy systems did not work properly
3. Slow recovery speed: Recovery rate stuck at 17% on day 8, increasing public inconvenience
4. Risk of recurrence: Unstable situation continues with restored systems breaking down again
5. Staff management problem: Government worker's tragic decision raises concerns about work overload

3️⃣ Fire Cause Investigation and Future Measures

✅ Fire Cause Investigation Progress

• Lithium battery power management is the focus of investigation. Key details are:

  • Police are investigating whether workers turned off both UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) and lithium battery power when the fire occurred.
  • Lithium batteries have high fire risk when overheated or shocked, making power management very important.
  • Whether safety rules in work procedures were properly followed is a key issue.
  • Whether fire safety equipment and firefighting systems at the computer center worked properly is also being reviewed.

• Structural safety issues are also being checked. Main investigation items are:

  • Fire equipment and fire detection systems at the computer center are being reviewed for adequacy.
  • Whether battery storage and management rules inside the data center were followed is being checked.
  • Whether regular safety inspections were done properly will also be investigated by the Board of Audit and Inspection.
  • Safety inspections of similar facilities will also be conducted.

✅ Prevention Measures and System Improvements

• Computer infrastructure redundancy must be strengthened. Main improvement directions are:

  • A real redundancy system must be built between Daejeon and Gwangju centers.
  • An automated system is needed to immediately switch to another center when one center fails.
  • Independent backup systems should be prepared for each major system to prevent simultaneous breakdowns.
  • Introduction of cloud-based distributed systems should also be actively considered.

• Disaster response systems must be completely reviewed. Main tasks are:

  • Manuals for quick recovery when physical disasters like fires occur must be revised.
  • Professional staff and equipment needed for recovery work must be secured in advance.
  • Regular disaster response drills and simulation training must be strengthened.
  • Work burden on recovery staff must be reduced and mental health support systems must be established.
  • Communication with citizens must be strengthened to transparently share recovery status and restore trust.

4️⃣ Related Terms Explained

🔎 Ministry of the Interior and Safety

• The Ministry of the Interior and Safety is the central government agency that oversees digital administration and disaster safety.
  • The Ministry of the Interior and Safety is a central government agency established under the Government Organization Act, overseeing digital administration, disaster and safety management, and local government systems. The National Information Resources Service is an agency under this ministry, responsible for stable operation of government computer networks.
  • Main duties of the ministry include: First, promoting e-government and establishing information policies. Second, operating national disaster and safety management systems. Third, managing local autonomy and local administration systems. Fourth, overseeing civil defense and emergency preparedness.
  • This incident has increased criticism of the ministry's crisis response ability and recovery strategy. Especially, fundamental review of the centralized management system for computer infrastructure is being pointed out as necessary.

🔎 Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters

• The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters is a government-wide response organization that coordinates during national disasters.
  • The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters is a government-wide response organization established under the Framework Act on Disaster and Safety Management, coordinating responses to social disasters. The Minister of the Interior and Safety serves as headquarters chief, with related ministries, local governments, and relevant agencies participating to coordinate disaster response and recovery work.
  • Main functions include: First, overall management and information sharing of disaster situations. Second, building and coordinating cooperation systems among related agencies. Third, establishing and implementing emergency recovery and damage support measures. Fourth, quickly delivering disaster situations and response plans to citizens.
  • The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters has been operating during this National Information Resources Service fire, discussing recovery work and response plans. However, with slow recovery speed and continued system instability, critics point out failure in managing the golden time.

🔎 Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)

• UPS is key equipment that provides stable power even during blackouts.
  • UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) is equipment that provides stable power to important equipment like servers when blackouts or power problems occur. It is essential equipment in data centers and computer rooms, preventing system damage and data loss from sudden power interruptions.
  • How UPS works: Normally, it supplies electricity from the power grid while charging internal batteries. When a blackout occurs, it immediately switches to battery power and supplies electricity for a certain time. During this time, systems can be safely shut down or emergency generators can be started.
  • Police are investigating whether workers turned off both UPS power and lithium battery power when this fire occurred. This is one of the key issues in determining the cause of the computer center fire. Especially, lithium batteries have high fire risk when overheated or shocked, making power management very important.

🔎 Backup System

• Backup systems are essential infrastructure for quick recovery when disasters occur.
  • Backup systems are essential equipment for quickly restoring data and services when computer network failures or accidents occur. Data is regularly copied and stored in separate storage spaces, and when failures occur, backed-up data is used to restore systems.
  • Types of backup systems include: First, full backup that regularly copies all data. Second, incremental backup that additionally backs up only changed parts. Third, redundancy systems that operate identical systems in multiple locations in real-time. Fourth, disaster recovery centers (DR centers) built in separate regions to prepare for large-scale disasters.
  • With delayed recovery and cases of breakdowns recurring in this fire, criticism has been raised that the government's backup system and redundancy systems were not sufficiently built. This is leading to voices saying national infrastructure stability must be checked again.

5️⃣ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What services were affected by the National Information Resources Service fire?

A: Most computer systems and public services of central ministries, local governments, and public agencies were affected.

• The National Information Resources Service fire stopped a wide range of computer services. First, Internet Post Office service stopped, making it impossible to check mail, track packages, or apply for postal services. Second, the government employee integrated email system broke down, causing major disruption in communication between government departments. Third, the electronic document system stopped, delaying official document processing and approvals. Fourth, some civil service systems also stopped, increasing public inconvenience. Fifth, internal work systems of local governments were also affected, causing disruption in overall administrative work.
• What's especially problematic is that even restored systems are breaking down again. The Internet Post Office broke down again after recovery, and system instability continues, increasing citizens' inconvenience and anxiety.

Q: Why is recovery taking so long?

A: Recovery is delayed for multiple reasons including physical damage, system interconnectivity, and stability verification.

• There are several reasons for delayed recovery. First, physical damage from the fire was more serious than expected. Not just servers and storage devices, but network equipment and power facilities were all damaged, taking time to replace and recover. Second, systems are highly interconnected, requiring step-by-step recovery. For one system to be restored, connected other systems must also work, making a phased approach unavoidable. Third, the data restoration process is complex. Work is needed to move backed-up data to new systems and verify data integrity.
• Fourth, sufficient verification of restored system stability is needed. If recovery is rushed and problems occur again, bigger confusion can result, requiring a careful approach. Fifth, backup systems and redundancy measures did not work properly. Switching to the Gwangju center was not smooth, making recovery even more difficult. For these reasons, experts predict full recovery could take up to 6 months.

Table of Contents

• Go to Guide