Lee pledges government will be '119' for firefighters

President Lee Jae Myung pledged Monday that the government would serve as a "119" for the nation's firefighters, vowing to protect those who put their lives on the line for the public.

Speaking at the 64th Firefighters' Day ceremony in Sejong, Lee said, "If firefighters are not safe, the safety of our people cannot be guaranteed either. Never forget that your mission is only complete when you return safely to the family and colleagues who are desperately waiting for you."

Held under the slogan "Small gods who save lives and protect the world — Korea's firefighters," the ceremony marked Lee's first attendance at a Firefighters' Day event since taking office. He opened his remarks with a pledge to support the health and psychological recovery of frontline personnel.

Lee said the government would pay closer attention to the working conditions and treatment of firefighters serving in the field. He also pledged to support the National Fire Service Hospital, which opened this year, so that it can provide specialized care for uniformed heroes, and said construction of a mental and physical wellness retreat center would proceed without delay.

"We will make every effort to ensure the wellness retreat center for firefighters' psychological stability and mental health is built on schedule," Lee said. "The state will carefully look after the families and children left behind, so that the sacrifice made for the nation and its people does not become a burden borne by anyone alone."

Lee also directly addressed the children of the late Fire Lieutenant Park Seung-won, who died in the line of duty at a fire in Wando, South Jeolla Province, in April.

"Your father was a proud firefighter who carried out his duty to the very end — to save the most precious thing of all, a human life, and to protect a world where everyone can live safely," Lee said. "I will keep his noble spirit with me, and I will carefully watch over you so that your dreams may shine ever more brightly in the years ahead."

Lee said the fire service must significantly strengthen its response capabilities as climate change drives disasters that are growing more varied and severe.

"The scenes we will face going forward will be far more complex and difficult than they are today," Lee said. "The only way to reliably protect the lives and safety of the people is to prepare and respond one step ahead of change." He urged the fire service to adapt before the next disaster strikes.

To that end, Lee said the government would raise the expertise of field commanders, strengthen training exercises tailored to real disaster scenarios, and draw up plans to expand the firefighting workforce and reinforce the chain of command.

Lee also outlined plans to build a high-tech, science-driven fire service in which AI predicts hazards at the scene and robots and drones enter dangerous areas first. The government intends to actively apply defense-sector technologies to firefighting, including the introduction of unmanned surface vessels and the practical deployment of advanced fire-resistant fiber suits.

About 800 people attended the ceremony, including the interior minister, National Assembly members, fire service civil servants, volunteer firefighters and bereaved families of firefighters who died in the line of duty. Lee also expressed gratitude to the more than 90,000 volunteer firefighters who have protected community safety across the country.