Disruptions to the on-site activities of Seoul firefighters are an annual occurrence, and eight out of ten perpetrators are intoxicated emergency patients. The Seoul Metropolitan Fire and Disaster Headquarters has announced that it will apply a zero-tolerance policy to these acts and respond sternly.
According to data released by the Seoul Metropolitan Fire and Disaster Headquarters on the 13th, an average of about 90 cases of disruption to firefighting activities, including fire, rescue, and emergency medical services, occurred annually over the past three years, from 2022 to 2024. From January to July of this year alone, a total of 25 incidents of firefighting activity disruption have taken place, showing that the difficulties faced by frontline firefighters remain.
In particular, all 25 disruption incidents this year were directed at emergency medical responders. Of these, 24 cases (96%) involved verbal abuse or assault, and the perpetrators in 20 cases (80%) were emergency patients under the influence of alcohol. Most incidents have a violent aspect, with drunk patients often hurling verbal abuse or using physical force against the emergency responders who have been dispatched.
The headquarters has investigated 19 of these 25 cases and sent them to the prosecution. The Framework Act on Firefighting and the Act on 119 Rescue and Emergency Medical Services stipulate that those who disrupt firefighting activities can be punished with up to five years in prison or a fine of up to 50 million won. This is a legal measure to ensure safety at disaster sites and protect the activities of firefighters.
Kwon Hyeok-min, head of the Seoul Metropolitan Fire and Disaster Headquarters, expressed his strong commitment to protecting the safety and rights of firefighters, stating, "We will actively respond to disruptors by applying a zero-tolerance policy so that firefighters can focus on their activities in a safer environment at disaster sites."
This statistic suggests that acts hindering firefighting activities remain a serious problem, and the violent behavior of intoxicated individuals, in particular, poses a major threat to frontline responders. It remains to be seen whether the Seoul Metropolitan Fire and Disaster Headquarters' strict response policy will contribute to securing the safety of frontline responders and providing stable firefighting services to citizens.
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