Park Honggeun: "We Will Review Both Next Year's Firefighting Budget and Mid- to Long-Term Institutional Reforms" [2026 National Assembly Audit]

Minister of Planning and Budget Park Honggeun answers lawmakers' questions during a parliamentary audit of the Ministry of Planning and Budget at the National Assembly on Oct. 8, 2026. Photo by Yoon Dongju

Minister of Planning and Budget Park Honggeun said on Oct. 23 that, regarding firefighting finances, "We will look at both what can be reflected in next year's budget right away and the need for mid- to long-term institutional reforms."

Responding to related questions during a comprehensive audit by the National Assembly's Finance and Economy Planning Committee that day, Minister Park said, "This is a time when we need to consider how the central and local governments should share responsibility for firefighting budgets."

The share of the national government in fire safety spending fell from 14.9% in 2021 to 10.7% this year, while the share of local governments rose from 85% to 89.3%. Although firefighters became national government employees in 2020, the national government's share of fire safety spending has instead declined.

In particular, the Fire Safety Grant Tax, funded by the individual consumption tax on cigarettes, is expected to fall 27.6%, from 1.0503 trillion won this year to 760.5 billion won next year.

Minister Park explained, "Each local government has established and directly operates a special firefighting account. This is an area that falls under the inherent responsibilities of local governments, and it seems we need to discuss the principles and criteria for sharing responsibilities between the national and local governments."

He added, "As the individual consumption tax on cigarettes has declined, the workforce and personnel costs have both increased. We need to consider how to address that gap."

In response to criticism that firefighting finance problems cannot be resolved solely through the individual consumption tax on cigarettes, he said, "In addition to the 45% share of the individual consumption tax on cigarettes, we are already providing subsidies from the national treasury. We continue to support the expansion of large, advanced firefighting equipment and the replacement of aging ambulances."

Assemblyman Park said, "The shortfall in the individual consumption tax on cigarettes has placed a burden on local governments. How to improve firefighters' working conditions, expand advanced safety equipment, and secure stable, structural funding for firefighting are all issues that need to be considered."

He added, "Going forward, we will work with the National Assembly to consider effective measures."

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