Gov't to take responsibility for firefighters' safety: PM

Prime Minister Han Seong-sook declared on Monday that the government will assume responsibility for the safety of firefighters, as she commemorated National Firefighters Day. In an X post, she emphasized that ensuring firefighters possess adequate personnel, equipment, and a secure working environment is a state obligation, and should not solely depend on their personal dedication.

The administration aims to enhance working conditions by bolstering the firefighting budget and augmenting necessary personnel and equipment, she stated. To attain this, the government will collaborate with relevant ministries to implement institutional reforms, aiming to establish a stable financial base, according to Han.

The issue of firefighting budget garnered significant attention in recent weeks following Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Mi-ae's remarks, stating that firefighters are a "fiscal drain." This statement provoked widespread public outrage, particularly following the death of a firefighter responding to a factory fire in Bucheon, located west of Seoul. In response, Choo issued multiple apologies for the comment.