Choo Mi-ae: "National Government Must Take Responsibility for Fire Department Finances...We Will Respond with Support for Firefighters' Dedication"

Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Mi-ae said on the 9th, "I will continue to work on changing laws and systems so that the nation can stably take responsibility for fire department finances."

On this day, Governor Choo stated, "Last weekend, we took an important first step as demands to strengthen the nation's responsibility for fire department finances led to financial support."

Governor Choo's remarks came at the '64th Firefighters' Day Commemorative Event' held at Gyeonggi Arts Center in Suwon.

Governor Choo said, "Gyeonggi Province's 119 receives over 2 million calls annually, the highest in the nation. Thanks to all of you, countless residents have been able to save their lives and overcome crises. On behalf of the residents, I extend my sincere gratitude," offering words of celebration.

Governor Choo stated, "Your dedication must be answered with appropriate respect, treatment, and support. We cannot simply leave all difficulties to a sense of duty. The nation must become a solid backbone with sufficient personnel, equipment, and a safe work environment."

She continued, "Six years have passed since firefighters transitioned to national civil servants, but a substantial portion of fire department finances still falls to local governments. I have always believed this is a problem that must be corrected," and explained, "Last weekend, the government and the Democratic Party began specifically discussing ways to expand financial support for the fire department sector."

The "last weekend" Governor Choo referred to is the 12th High-level Government-Ruling Party Conference held by the government and the Democratic Party of Korea on the 8th at the Prime Minister's official residence. At this consultation, they decided to review financial support at approximately 2 trillion won for essential investments in the fire department sector. The government and ruling party plan to confirm the final amount during the National Assembly's deliberation of the 2027 budget.

Governor Choo Mi-ae raised the issue on the 8th, three days after announcing Gyeonggi Province's fiscal emergency declaration on August 5th, through her social media, stating that the structure in which Gyeonggi Province pays over 1 trillion won in salaries for national civil servant firefighters must be reformed.