Interview with Myeong-Soo Kim, Team Manager of Kumho Petrochemical
Interview with Myeong-Soo Kim, Team Manager of Kumho Petrochemical
On June 10, 2025, a fire broke out in the No. 2 MCC Room of the electrical control room at Kumho Petrochemical’s Yeosu Rubber Plant 1, located within the Yeosu National Industrial Complex.
An employee attempted initial fire suppression using a CO₂ extinguisher and manually activated the Halon fire system. However, the flames originating from the low-voltage panel spread through the cable trays above, growing rapidly and producing heavy black smoke.
Upon receiving confirmation that the main power supply to the No. 2 MCC Room had been shut off, the fire department began water-based firefighting operations. The fire was fully extinguished at approximately 06:00 on the same day.
Although the swift fire response minimised physical damage, soot and moisture had penetrated the panels, reducing insulation resistance, degrading electrical performance, and accelerating corrosion of electrical components and terminals. Without thorough cleaning and maintenance, the risk of secondary failure remained high.
At this critical moment, BELFOR Korea responded immediately, working day and night—including weekends—and completed all restoration work within one month, allowing the plant to restart normal operations without delay.
Q. Please introduce yourself.
My name is Myeong-Soo Kim, Team Manager of the Plant Maintenance Team 1 at Kumho Petrochemical’s Yeosu Rubber Plant 1. I joined the company in 1997, and this is my 29th year of service.
Q. Can you tell us more about the incident?
The initial spark occurred inside a low-voltage MCC unit in the No. 2 MCC Room. The fire quickly spread to the panel and then to the overhead cables. The panel had been in service for roughly 30 years and was scheduled for replacement in 2026.
Q. How did you come to know about BELFOR Korea?
This was our first electrical room fire, and we were deeply concerned about the severe corrosion risk caused by soot, high humidity (the fire occurred in June), and water used for suppression. Through our insurance provider, we were introduced to BELFOR Korea and learned that they were a global company specialising in fire restoration.
Q. How was your experience working with BELFOR Korea?
The entire process from assessment to complete restoration took about one month. If we had replaced all affected MCC panels, inverters, and electrical equipment with new components, the cost and downtime would have been enormous. This schedule would have been impossible without BELFOR Korea’s support.
Their team worked tirelessly, including nights and weekends, to keep up with a strict deadline. It was astonishing to see how contaminated panels, office interiors, and even desks and fixtures returned to their original condition under their touch. Every morning began with a Toolbox Meeting, and detailed progress reports were delivered at the end of each day—clear proof of a highly systemised global operation.
Since this was our first major electrical fire, we initially felt helpless, but we were able to overcome the situation with BELFOR Korea’s steadfast support.
Q. Would you recommend BELFOR Korea to other plants or facilities facing similar risks?
Absolutely. Many companies and facilities in the Yeosu Industrial Complex have been operating for over 30 years. Although upgrades are underway, concerns about ageing facilities persist.
BELFOR Korea’s specialised techniques, such as chemical cleaning and dry ice blasting, enabled us to fully restore almost every panel. Since chemical cleaning for electrical fire recovery was previously unseen in our complex, many neighbouring facilities showed strong interest, and we confidently recommended BELFOR Korea each time.
We consider ourselves fortunate to have met BELFOR Korea in this crisis. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the entire BELFOR Korea team for their dedication and support.
In the aftermath of a disaster, fast response is everything. BELFOR delivers swift, safe, and reliable restoration for plant equipment and industrial infrastructure. Contact us today for more information.
