Coupang Fire Sparks Debate Over 'Mezzanine' Logistics Centers... Government Uncertain of Their Number

The fire at an Incheon logistics center has brought scrutiny to Mezzanine structures, yet the government lacks data on how many such facilities exist domestically. Industry experts argue systematic management of Mezzanine logistics centers is needed without first conducting accurate surveys. Mezzanine structures, widely used by major logistics firms like CJ Logistics, Lotte Global Logistics, Hanjin, and SSG.com, are designed to maximize space in high-ceiling warehouses. Following the fire, the government held emergency meetings to discuss safety standards but found no official statistics on Mezzanine facilities. Current regulations require facility registration but do not mandate structural disclosure, leaving compliance to companies. While the national logistics information center tracks equipment data, Mezzanine installations are rarely specified. Industry estimates suggest over 6,000 warehouses exist domestically, yet the government lacks precise figures. Smart logistics centers supported by government subsidies also use Mezzanine structures, though data remains uncompiled. The Ministry of Employment and Labor planned inspections of 100 Mezzanine centers but still lacks centralized data.