Jang Donghyeok: "Tragedies will recur if firefighting infrastructure is neglected... Upgrade outdated equipment first"

Jang Donghyeok, leader of the People Power Party, said on Oct. 27, "Firefighters' lives depend on safety infrastructure, but equipment in the field has already exceeded the danger threshold. If we leave this unaddressed, heartbreaking tragedies will inevitably continue to occur. I will take the lead in increasing central government funding for firefighting and make sure to replace outdated equipment first."

People Power Party leader Jang Donghyuk delivers opening remarks at a Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly on the 26th. 2026.10.26 Photo by Yoon Dongju

Jang made the remarks at a meeting held that morning at the National Assembly under the theme "A Conversation with Firefighters for Safer Workplaces." He said, "It has already been six years since firefighters became national government employees, but central government funding still accounts for only around 10% of the firefighting budget, and nearly 40% of equipment is outdated and past its replacement date."

Jang first spoke about the late Fire Lieutenant Kim Jinseok, who died in the line of duty in the recent fire in Bucheon. "Seeing his daughter's letter placed in front of his portrait at the funeral left me heartbroken," he said. "I will make sure that the bereaved family and firefighters injured in the incident receive all the support they need."

He continued, "There is a poem called 'The Firefighter's Prayer,' and nowhere in it does the firefighter ask to be saved. They only pray for the strength to save one more life and, if they cannot return, for their family left behind to be protected. The government must now properly honor this prayer. I will do everything in my power to ensure firefighters can go into the field more safely and that these uniformed heroes receive the respect and treatment they deserve."

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