{
  "id": 19107674,
  "title": "(2nd LD) Lee vows to hire more firefighters, expand investment to ensure public safety",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/09/2nd-ld-lee-vows-to-hire-more-firefighters-expand-investment-to-ensure",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-09T06:42:05.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yonhap News",
    "slug": "yonhap-news",
    "url": "https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20261109004052315"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "President Lee Jae Myung pledged on Monday to hire more firefighters and boost investment to enhance their capabilities, ensuring public safety amid various disaster risks. The announcement came during a ceremony commemorating the 64th Day of Firefighting in Sejong, which was attended by government officials, firefighters, and their bereaved families.\n\nThe president highlighted that the ongoing climate crisis is intensifying the diversity and scale of disasters, potentially making them more complex and challenging for firefighters to manage. Accordingly, Lee emphasized that proactive preparation and timely response are essential for safeguarding lives and ensuring safety.\n\nIn order to achieve this, Lee pledged to hire additional firefighters, reinforce their command system, and expand investment to facilitate quicker and more systematic disaster response. This investment plan includes harnessing artificial intelligence (AI) and drones to identify risk factors, as well as employing advanced defense technology such as unmanned surface vehicles and high-tech firefighting suits to ensure firefighters' safety during operations.\n\nAdditionally, Lee assured that the government will closely monitor the treatment and working conditions of firefighters who selflessly respond to emergencies, ensuring their well-being. Following the ceremony, Lee visited an exhibition showcasing high-tech firefighting equipment, including an unmanned wall-piercing fire truck and a smoke-removal robot.\n\nThe president also stressed the necessity of allocating state budget and investing in research and development for more advanced unmanned firefighting equipment. To conclude the day, Lee hosted a lunch with seven serving firefighters at a restaurant in Sejong, where he commended their dedication and praised their services.",
  "summary": "SEOUL, Nov. 9 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Jae Myung on Monday vowed to hire more f...",
  "key_points": [
    "President Lee Jae Myung vows to hire more firefighters.",
    "Investment to expand capabilities and enhance public safety.",
    "AI and drones to identify risk factors and ensure safety."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Prioritizing advanced technology and increased personnel shifts the national disaster strategy toward a more proactive, high-tech defense against the intensifying complexities of the ongoing climate crisis.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Lee vows to hire more firefighters, expand investment to ensure public safety",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/09/lee-vows-to-hire-more-firefighters-expand-investment-to-ensure-public-19078188",
        "published": "2026-11-09T03:32:03.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}