Sharp Increase in '119 Prank Calls During Holiday Periods' Over the Past 3 Years

A Total of 56 Prank Calls Received: 16 in 2018, 12 in 2019, and 28 in 2020

Photo by Gyeonggi-do Fire and Disaster Headquarters

[Asia Economy Reporter Ra Young-cheol] It has been revealed that prank calls to the 119 emergency hotline have surged during holiday periods over the past three years.

According to data received on the 21st from the Fire Agency by Oh Young-hwan, a member of the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee from the Democratic Party of Korea (Uijeongbu City Gap), there were a total of 56 prank calls to the 119 emergency hotline during holiday periods over the past three years, increasing by 75% from 16 cases in 2018 to 28 cases last year.

By year, the numbers were 16 cases in 2018 (Seol 2.15~2.18, Chuseok 9.22~9.26), 12 cases in 2019 (Seol 2.2~2.6, Chuseok 9.12~9.15), and 28 cases in 2020 (Seol 1.24~1.27, Chuseok 9.30~10.4).

Among local governments, Gyeonggi-do had the highest number with 18 cases, followed by Gyeongbuk with 16, Seoul with 10, Gyeongnam with 7, and Jeonbuk with 5 cases.

Meanwhile, the total number of 119 emergency dispatch calls during holiday periods over the past three years was 311,477, including 25,335 fire cases, 43,248 rescue cases, 195,240 ambulance cases, and 47,654 civil dispatch and other cases.

Assemblyman Oh pointed out, "Prank calls can cause us to miss urgent situations," emphasizing that "a great deal of attention and cooperation is needed for public safety."