17 Cases of Firefighting Interference in the Past 3 Years, Mostly Alcohol-Related Assaults
Special Judicial Police to Enforce Strict No-Tolerance Policy Even When Intoxicated
[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Seryeong] The Gyeongbuk Fire Headquarters will take strict action against crimes involving the assault of 119 paramedics dispatched to emergency scenes.
The Fire Headquarters' Special Judicial Police Officers are investigating Mr. A and Mr. B, who assaulted paramedics on the 10th and 24th respectively.
According to the Fire Headquarters, Mr. A, who was reported to have been drinking and collapsed on a road in Andong on the 10th, assaulted the paramedics and damaged equipment inside the ambulance when they tried to transport him to the hospital.
Mr. B, a group tourist, is under investigation for assaulting three paramedics while intoxicated at a hotel in Pohang on the 24th.
In the past three years, there have been a total of 17 cases of obstruction of fire-fighting activities in the province. Of the 9 cases this year, 7 have been referred to prosecution, and the remaining 2 are under investigation by the Fire Special Judicial Police.
All obstruction cases in the past three years involved assaults by intoxicated individuals.
The Fire Headquarters operates a ‘Task Force for Handling Offenders Obstructing Fire Activities’ to respond promptly to assaults on paramedics.
Anyone who assaults or threatens on-site firefighters or damages fire equipment to obstruct fire-fighting activities may face imprisonment of up to 5 years or a fine of up to 50 million won.
Kim Jong-geun, Chief of the Gyeongbuk Fire Headquarters, stated, “With recent legal amendments, even if the assailant is intoxicated or mentally impaired, there will be no reduction in punishment for assaulting on-site responders. We will apply a zero-tolerance policy and respond strictly to assaults on firefighters.”
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