Politics · South Korea · 14 hrs ago
South Korea opposition calls for regular firefighter funding
South Korea’s People Power Party held a film screening at the National Assembly on Firefighters Day to honor firefighters’ service.
Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok said it would seek more funding for firefighters in the 2027 budget.
The party proposed a 500,000-won increase in firefighters’ hazard allowance and 2 trillion won for replacing old equipment and improving fire safety.
The government and the Democratic Party have agreed to put 2 trillion won into essential fire-service investment, but the opposition wants the money included in the regular budget rather than a new fund.
It says regular budget funding would make support more stable, including for pay and equipment.
The film tells the story of firefighters who died in a 2001 Seoul apartment fire, and the party says it will press its funding demands during the 2027 budget review.
South Korea’s People Power Party called for firefighter funding to be included in the regular national budget rather than a temporary fund.
Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk said it would push for expanded fire-service funding during review of the 2027 budget.
The party proposed raising firefighters’ risk allowance by 500,000 won and increasing funding for equipment and fire-safety investment by 2 trillion won.
The government and the Democratic Party had agreed the previous day to invest 2 trillion won in essential fire-service needs.
The funding debate took place at a parliamentary screening of a film about firefighters on the 64th Firefighters’ Day.
- Who
- South Korea’s People Power Party, led by Jang Dong-hyuk, called for regular budget funding for firefighters.
- What
- The party wants fire-service funding included in the regular national budget, not a temporary fund. It proposed a 500,000-won increase in risk allowances and 2 trillion won in additional funding.
- When
- Nov. 9, 2026, on the 64th Firefighters’ Day.
- Where
- The National Assembly Members’ Office Building in Seoul.
- Why
- The party said regular-budget funding would allow stable spending on firefighters, equipment and fire safety.
People Power Party
Government and Democratic Party
Funding method
People Power Party
The party called for fire-service funding in the regular budget.
Government and Democratic Party
The government and Democratic Party were considering using part of a planned Future Response Fund for fire-service spending.
Funding level
People Power Party
The party proposed 2 trillion won in increased funding for equipment replacement and fire-safety investment.
Government and Democratic Party
The government and Democratic Party agreed to invest 2 trillion won in essential fire-service needs.
The government and the Democratic Party agreed to invest 2 trillion won in essential fire-service needs, according to Jang.
The People Power Party held a screening of the film “Firefighters” at the National Assembly and called for regular-budget funding.
Jang said the party would seek to expand fire-service funding in the regular budget.
- Party leader
- Jang Dong-hyuk
- Proposed risk allowance increase
- 500,000 won
- Proposed additional funding
- 2 trillion won
- Budget year under review
- 2027
- Firefighters who died in the line of duty over five years
- 76
- Film screened
- Firefighters,” released in 2024
1 source
What people are saying
The People Power Party will make major changes starting with next year's budget.
It must be included in the regular budget so it can be spent steadily.
It is important to include it in the general budget, not a temporary fund, to secure risk allowances and personnel costs continuously.
Public officials responsible for the safety of the people must not view the value of firefighters through the lens of cost.