Kim Min-seok, the leader of the Democratic Party, promised comprehensive support for firefighters during a meeting with the firefighters' labor union on October 23. He stated, "We will do our utmost with policies and budgets in line with the purpose of transitioning to national status for firefighters."
At the 'Meeting to Strengthen Support for Firefighters' held in the National Assembly, Kim emphasized the need for improved working conditions and support for firefighters, saying, "I will put more policy efforts into creating a safe working environment and improving treatment for firefighters."
Kim also announced plans to reform the budget structure of firefighting organizations, which currently relies heavily on local governments.
He explained, "The transition to national status for firefighters in 2020 has reduced disparities in firefighting services across regions and strengthened the nation's disaster response capabilities. However, the operation of firefighting organizations and the necessary budgets are structured around local governments."
Furthermore, Kim highlighted the need for enhanced national-level financial management for firefighting, stating, "To prevent disparities in firefighting services between regions, additional institutional improvements are necessary. We aim to improve the safety and treatment of firefighters and initiate a second wave of firefighting innovation that encompasses veterans' affairs."
He concluded by stating, "We will actively gather the opinions of firefighters today and continue close consultations with the party and government. We will ensure that all proposed matters are addressed and realized through party-government discussions."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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