President Lee: "Firefighters Are National Heroes, Full Support for Fire Service Hospital"

Lee Attends National Fire Service Hospital Opening Ceremony
"We Will Spare No Financial Support"
Greets Staff Members and Takes Selfies

On August 11, President Lee Jae-myung visited the National Fire Service Hospital and pledged robust support, stating, "Firefighters are truly heroes of our people who stand in for the role of divinity."

President Lee attended the opening ceremony of the National Fire Service Hospital in Eumseong, North Chungcheong Province, on this day and said, "There are those who bravely endure great tasks with their whole bodies in disaster situations. They are the firefighters," making this remark accordingly.

President Lee Jae-myung is taking a commemorative photo with medical staff during his visit to the National Fire Service Hospital in Eumseong, Chungbuk on August 11, 2026. 2026.8.11 Yonhap News Agency

President Lee stated, "Because you are the first to enter and the last to leave the scene of chaos and unimaginable danger and fear, our people can feel safe and secure in their daily lives. I would like to take this opportunity to express my deep respect and appreciation."

He then pointed out firefighters' short average lifespan and post-traumatic stress, saying, "I am well aware that behind your remarkable dedication and sacrifice lies the heartbreaking reality of each of you enduring both mental and physical pain. Now that this National Fire Service Hospital is finally opening, I hope it will become a reliable haven that understands and treats you better than any other place."

President Lee stressed, "We will do our utmost to ensure that the National Fire Service Hospital establishes itself as a key public institution responsible for both fire services medicine and regional public healthcare." To this end, President Lee announced, "We will spare no financial support, preparing dormitories so that Seoul National University Hospital staff can work here stably and expanding a Fire & Emergency Medicine Research and Development (R&D) Center to underpin fire service medicine research and medical innovation."

According to Deputy Presidential Spokesperson An Gwiryung, President Lee toured major hospital facilities after the opening ceremony. While at the cardiopulmonary rehabilitation testing system, he met with Firefighter Kim Changhwa of the Goesan Fire Station, North Chungcheong Province, who was undergoing treatment, and remarked, "I'm glad you can now receive specialized diagnosis and treatment," while asking after his well-being.

President Lee also received explanations regarding the features and treatment processes of state-of-the-art rehabilitation equipment, such as a walking rehabilitation robot and an upper-limb rehabilitation robot, at the integrated rehabilitation center. He inquired about the recovery progress of both a retired firefighter and a local resident who were receiving rehabilitation treatment with the equipment and wished them a swift recovery. At the hospital’s “Hero Rest Area,” Deputy Spokesperson An explained that President Lee greeted resting staff members and took commemorative photos with them.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.