Core Viewpoint - The recent fire incident involving the Hyundai IONIQ 5 electric vehicle in South Korea highlights a disparity in media reporting between domestic and imported electric vehicle fires, suggesting a double standard in the portrayal of safety issues related to electric vehicles [1][2]. Group 1: Incident Details - A fire occurred in an underground parking lot in Cheonan, South Korea, involving a Hyundai IONIQ 5 electric vehicle equipped with a battery produced by SK On, with no reported injuries [1]. - This incident is not isolated; previous fires involving the IONIQ 5 have been reported, including one in August 2022 causing over 20 million KRW (approximately 100,000 RMB) in damages and another in March 2023 that resulted in driver injuries [1]. Group 2: Media Reporting Discrepancies - South Korean media tends to use vague terms like "electric vehicle fire" without specifying the manufacturer or battery supplier when reporting on domestic electric vehicle incidents, contrasting with detailed reporting on imported vehicle fires [1][2]. - In a previous incident involving imported electric vehicles, the media emphasized the use of "Chinese batteries," fostering a perception that Chinese battery safety is inferior to that of South Korean products [2]. Group 3: Statistical Insights - From 2018 to 2024, 89% of electric vehicle fires in South Korea involved batteries from domestic manufacturers, with 126 out of 139 incidents linked to South Korean companies such as LG Energy Solution, SK On, and Samsung SDI [2]. - Experts have criticized the narrative that Chinese batteries are inferior, arguing that such claims lack evidence and contribute to bias against electric vehicles [2].