Key facts
- Lee Jae Myung pledged to hire more firefighters and expand investment in their capabilities, speaking on November 9.
- Lee said artificial intelligence and drones would be used to identify risk factors and carry out dangerous rescues.
- Unmanned surface vehicles and high-tech firefighting suits would be deployed to protect firefighters, Lee said.
- Lee said the government would strengthen the firefighters' command system and improve their treatment and working conditions.
President Lee Jae Myung said on November 9 that his government would hire more firefighters and expand investment in their capabilities, speaking at a ceremony in Seoul marking the 64th Day of Firefighting. The event was attended by government officials, firefighters, firefighters who died on duty and their bereaved families, Yonhap reported.
Lee said the climate crisis is widening the range and scale of disasters, which he said would make them more complicated for firefighters to handle. "Preparing for and responding to changes a step ahead of time would be the way to protect the people's lives and ensure their safety," Lee said at the ceremony.
He also pledged to strengthen the firefighters' command system. Under the plan, the government would use artificial intelligence and drones to identify risk factors and carry out dangerous rescue operations, and would deploy unmanned surface vehicles and high-tech firefighting suits to protect firefighters, he said.
"The government will more thoroughly look after the treatment and working conditions of firefighters who dedicate themselves to responding to accidents," Lee said. He added: "Do not forget that your duties are only complete when you return safely to your families and colleagues."