Seoul President Lee Jae Myung has pledged to hire additional firefighters and increase investment to enhance their capabilities in a bid to ensure public safety amidst various disaster risks.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the announcement was made during a ceremony in Sejong marking the 64th Day of Firefighting, which was attended by government officials, firefighters, and the families of those who have died in the line of duty.
President Lee emphasized that the ongoing climate crisis is escalating the complexity and scale of disasters, posing significant challenges for firefighters. To address these challenges, he proposed hiring more firefighters, strengthening their command system, and expanding investment to enable a more prompt and systematic response to disasters.
The government plans to leverage artificial intelligence and drones to identify risks and undertake rescue operations, deploying advanced technology such as unmanned surface vehicles and high-tech firefighting suits to ensure firefighter safety.
President Lee also highlighted the importance of improving the treatment and working conditions of firefighters, emphasizing the need for their safe return after duty. Following the ceremony, Lee visited an exhibition showcasing high-tech firefighting equipment and stressed the importance of state budget allocation and research for better unmanned firefighting tools. He concluded the event by having lunch with seven firefighters, during which he praised their dedication and service.