Seoul:The South Korean government has agreed to consider allocating approximately 2 trillion won (US$1.5 billion) to enhance investments related to firefighting efforts. This decision was announced by a ruling party official on Sunday.
According to Yonhap News Agency, this initiative is part of a broader discussion aimed at alleviating the fiscal challenges faced by provincial governments. Democratic Party chief spokesperson Park Sung-joon highlighted the proposal during a press briefing after a consultation session involving the government, the ruling party, and Cheong Wa Dae.
The proposed funding will be directed towards preparing firefighting equipment, establishing training facilities, and developing a medical system focused on firefighting efforts. These considerations are set to be included in the review of the next year's budget. Currently, the majority of the firefighting-related budget is covered by provincial governments, with the central government contributing only about 10 percent.
At the meeting, Prime Minister Han Seong-sook emphasized the importance of ensuring adequate support for firefighters before expecting them to commit fully to public safety. The consultation took place a day before the 64th anniversary of the Day of Firefighting, during which Han also paid tribute to the late Kim Jin-seok, a firefighter who died in the line of duty last month.
Han further expressed the government's commitment to preparing for the winter season, underlining the threat of heavy snow and cold as natural disasters that significantly impact daily life.