President Lee Jae-myung proposes applause for firefighters at National Sports Festival

'Would we begrudge a treasure to citizens in uniform?'

President Lee Jae-myung personally proposed a round of encouragement for a firefighter who suffered cardiac arrest at the opening ceremony of the 107th National Sports Festival, held at Jeju World Cup Stadium on the 16th. In his commemorative speech, wishing a swift recovery for the firefighter who went into cardiac arrest while battling a factory fire in Bucheon and for soldiers injured in a landmine explosion in the DMZ, he said, "Would we begrudge a treasure to citizens in uniform?" The opening ceremony of the National Sports Festival, held in Jeju for the first time in 12 years, thus became in effect an occasion for national mourning over 'lost safety' and a call for renewed vigilance.

Although the remarks were made on an official occasion, they came against the backdrop of two consecutive days of tragedy. The president expressed condolences over the death of firefighter Kim Jin-seok, who was killed battling the Bucheon factory fire on the 17th, saying, "We will not forget his sacrifice," and posted on X (formerly Twitter), "I am heartbroken. My deepest condolences to the deceased." He is also known to have instructed at the fire scene, "There are many flammable materials, so prioritize lives in the rescue operation." The key context of these remarks is that the president's messages amid successive disasters have focused on 'the lives of firefighters and soldiers.'

What the 'treasure' remarks signal… Compensation improvement policies at a crossroads

The phrase 'would not begrudge a treasure' carries policy implications beyond simple consolation. President Lee had previously promised, in connection with the firefighter killed in the Bucheon fire, to review and reinforce safety measures for firefighters and improve their compensation. His request for applause for soldiers and firefighters together at the ceremony is interpreted as an act of making such promises public. Indeed, there is a strong likelihood that the lack of field safety equipment and staffing problems — long cited as structural causes of recurring firefighter deaths — will be brought back into focus.

What stands out is the political timing. In a Gallup Korea poll, President Lee's approval rating rebounded 2 percentage points to 39 percent, halting its decline. Within the Democratic Party, Supreme Council member Choi Min-hee cited 'disappointment with the Lee Jae-myung government' as a factor driving away supporters, reflecting internal calls for soul-searching. With the People Power Party counterattacking by even floating the card of impeachment, the president's repeated messaging linking himself to 'citizens in uniform' who protect people's lives and safety can be seen as an attempt to solidify his support base. Respect for firefighters and soldiers resonates across ideological lines, regardless of political leaning.

From mourning to policy… What to watch

The outlook narrows to two paths. First, whether the promised safety measures and improved compensation for firefighters are actually delivered will be put to the test. Whether the ceremonial applause remains a one-off gesture or leads to related budget allocations and institutional reforms will be revealed in the course of governing. Given that judicial proceedings related to disasters have also entered a closing phase — with the Itaewon disaster special investigation team wrapping up its activities under the revised Criminal Procedure Act — 'disaster prevention and field safety' is emerging as the next task to replace post-hoc investigations.

Politically, the key is whether the rebound in approval ratings will continue. Making safety and dedication the themes of a national event like the National Sports Festival was a safe choice, but the president still faces a demanding political schedule, requiring direct answers to controversies such as the reduction of live broadcasts of Cabinet meetings. Borrowing the view attributed to Gerald Ford that 'ordinary and honest qualities' form the foundation of national stability, it is institutions that protect the safety of even a single firefighter — not flashy slogans — that build trust. In other words, the harder task than applause starts now.