Informants keep watchful eye on emergency exits to win rewards

SEOUL, July 8 (Yonhap) -- A cash reward program for informants of blocked emergency exits at public places has been successful with nearly 5,000 tip-offs compiled over the past year, the Seoul Metropolitan Government said Friday. The municipal government enacted an ordinance establishing the reward system on July 15 last year to prevent fires at department stores, movie theaters and other large-scale commercial facilities across the city. Under the ordinance, citizens get 50,000 won (US$47) in reward money if they report blocked emergency exits to the Seoul Metropolitan Fire and Disaster Headquarters through its Web site or at nearby fire stations. Retailers and other commercial buildings are accused of setting up sales facilities in front of emergency exits in order to pursue greater profits. The fire department said it has so far received 4,574 reports from citizens and paid 68.75 million won in rewards to 1,374 informants. "We have received great help from citizens who steadily report offenders to us although activities to publicize the system have not been made consistently due to budget shortages," a fire department official said, requesting not to be named because he is not authorized to talk directly to media.