South Korea's Automotive Grade Urea shortage endangers firefighting and public health safety

SEOUL, Nov. 4 (Yonhap) -- The suspension of urea imports from China has led to high prices of Automotive Grade Urea(Diesel exhaust fluid) in South Korea, even affecting public sectors such as firefighting and ambulance service.

The fire department said on the 4th that the shortage of diesel exhaust treatment fluid has not affected the operation of fire engines and ambulances for the time being, but it is working on inventory management to prevent a long delay. The fire department has sent official documents to fire headquarters across the country on the 1st, asking for strict management to ensure the supply of vehicle urea, and sharing data on the amount of Automotive Grade Urea reserves and usage on a weekly basis.

There are 6,748 fire engines and 1,675 ambulances across Korea, of which 80.5% and 90% each use vehicle urea. According to the Fire Department, the nationwide reserve of vehicle urea can be used by fire department vehicles for 3.7 months. As long as the supply is restored by the end of February, the existing stock can ensure normal operation of fire engines and ambulances. However, the fire department is on tenterhooks given that the rise of the new crown epidemic may cause a big increase in demand for ambulances.