Kim Min-seok "We need to increase national support for firefighting to match the transition to national service."
Quick Look
- Kim Min-seok, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, called for increased government support for firefighting and improvement of the system to resolve differences in firefighting services between regions.
- The plan is to resolve the issue in a way that reduces the excessive financial burden on local governments and strengthens national responsibility.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Even after the transition of fire officials to national positions in 2020, it has been pointed out that the budget for the fire department is concentrated in local governments.
Kim Min-seok, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, said on the 8th regarding the firefighting financial issue, "In line with the purpose of transitioning to a national position, there is a need to increase national support for firefighting finances and improve the system to reduce differences in firefighting services between regions."
At a high-level party-government conference held at the Prime Minister's official residence in Samcheong-dong, Seoul on this day, Representative Kim said, "The gap in firefighting services between regions has been reduced and the national disaster response ability has been strengthened, but the structure is still largely dependent on local governments in relation to the firefighting organization budget."
Representative Kim's remarks are interpreted as a determination to resolve the issue, as it has been pointed out that the firefighting budget is concentrated in local governments even after the transition of firefighting public officials to national positions in 2020.
Previously, Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Mi-ae sparked controversy by saying, "Firefighting is like a financial straw that causes the biggest headache," referring to local government financial issues and the budget for national firefighters during a government audit for Gyeonggi Province last month.
Representative Kim mentioned that several requests were made at a recent meeting with the fire union and said, "I hope to resolve this issue by discussing ways to expand firefighting finances and increase national responsibility while preventing an excessively large financial burden from being placed on local governments."
Meanwhile, Representative Kim emphasized, "Preventing disasters is a key indicator of national capabilities," and added, "We must inspect snow removal equipment and facilities in preparation for heavy snowfall, landslides, freezing, and cold waves, and prepare measures to protect the vulnerable in small-scale villages and residents in areas at risk of collapse and isolation."
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Discussions will be held on expanding national firefighting support and improving the system.
Likely · Within weeks
Open Questions
- What is the scale of expansion of government support?
- What are the specific plans to improve the system?
- When will the financial burden on local governments be eased?
