Over 200 Fire Hydrant Nozzles Vanish in South Korea Amid Surge in Metal Theft

Namyangju, South Korea – A wave of brazen thefts has targeted essential fire safety equipment in apartment complexes across Namyangju, with over 200 brass fire hydrant nozzles disappearing recently. Police are investigating the mass disappearance, which was discovered during a routine inspection on June 13th in the Hopyeong-dong area.

The missing nozzles, made of brass, are valuable scrap metal. Authorities suspect thieves are targeting these components because of their resale value, especially as copper prices remain high due to supply shortages and increased demand. A single brass nozzle can fetch up to 50,000 won (approximately $36 USD).

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We are continuing the investigation, including tracking down suspects.

This incident in Namyangju is not isolated. Similar thefts have occurred in Ulsan and Gyeongju, with one case in Gyeongju involving the theft of over 11,300 brass nozzles, valued at 680 million won (approximately $490,000 USD). In response, fire authorities and police are urging apartment management offices and residents nationwide to regularly inspect their indoor fire hydrant systems to ensure all components are present and functional. The Namyangju police are analyzing surveillance footage to identify suspects and are coordinating with other departments, though they state the current case is not connected to the larger Gyeongju investigation.

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We urge residents to frequently check if the internal components of indoor fire hydrant boxes are properly equipped.