PM Han Seung-soo pledges to review government support before asking firefighters for sacrifice

Prime Minister Han Seung-soo said at a high-level ruling party-government consultation held at the prime minister's residence in Samcheong-dong, Seoul, on the 8th, "Before asking them to devote themselves to the people, I will reflect on whether the government is fully playing its role in supporting that dedication, and what support is needed." Noting that the following day marked the 64th Firefighters' Day, he offered condolences for Fire Lieutenant Kim Jin-seok, who recently died in the line of duty while fighting a fire, and emphasized, "The top priority of what the government must take care of is the lives and safety of the people, and nothing comes before that."

Prime Minister Han said, "Taking into account the difficulties faced by local finances, we will discuss expanding financial support for essential firefighting projects and personnel costs." He added that issues that could be changed immediately would be addressed swiftly, while matters requiring consultation would be resolved with careful consideration of the urgency felt in the field.

Responses to winter natural disasters such as heavy snowfall and cold waves were also on the agenda. Prime Minister Han pointed out, "Heavy snow and cold waves are problems that threaten the daily lives of the people," adding, "For vulnerable groups, no season is as difficult as winter for getting through each day." He concluded the meeting's safety agenda by stressing, "We will set the standard for disaster preparedness on the everyday lives of each and every citizen and inspect them meticulously."