Firefighters' Union Requests Support for Firefighting Helicopter Replacement from Assemblyman Jeong Woo-taek

The National Fire Safety Public Officials Labor Union (Chairman Hong Suntak) held a meeting with National Assembly Member Jung Woo-taek (Vice Speaker of the National Assembly, Cheongju Sangdang District) on the 8th at the party office in Sangdang-gu, Cheongju, Chungbuk.

Hong Suntak, Chairman of the Korean Federation of Trade Unions Firefighters' Union, said at the meeting, "It is very meaningful to have a meeting where we can convey the difficulties faced by fire officials in the Chungbuk region. First, there is no fire academy established yet in Chungbuk. We ask for your attention so that a fire academy where more systematic education and training can be received can be established in Chungbuk as well." He also requested, "There is a shortage of firefighting personnel in the Chungbuk region, so the 'Cheongwon Fire Station' is needed."

He added, "Furthermore, the replacement of outdated firefighting helicopters is urgent. Helicopter malfunctions have a very high possibility of leading to casualties. National government funding support at the National Assembly level is necessary."

Vice Speaker Jung Woo-taek expressed his thoughts at the meeting with the Firefighters' Union, saying, "I am glad to meet you all who came from all over the country to Cheongju, Chungbuk. I fully sympathize with the requests for the establishment of a fire academy in Chungcheongbuk-do, construction of Cheongwon Fire Station, replacement of old helicopters, and shortage of field personnel. I will share the will to improve the working conditions and safety of fire officials."

He also said, "If any issues arise regarding the working environment and treatment improvement of fire officials in the Chungcheongbuk-do region, I will actively support them and take the lead in protecting fire officials who dedicate themselves to the public."

Attending the meeting were Hong Suntak, Chairman of the Korean Federation of Trade Unions Firefighters' Union; Gong Byung-sam, Secretary General; Choi Il-hyun, Chungbuk Chairman; Shin Dong-gang, Policy Advisor of Chungbuk Headquarters; Seo Sang-jin, Daegu Chairman; Park Hyung-tae, Election Management Committee Chairman, and other union executives, as well as Kim Cheol-gi, Chief of Eumseong Fire Station; Kim Dae-hyun, Organizational Management Coordinator of Chungbuk Fire Headquarters; and Woo Kyung-geun, Team 1 Leader of Chungbuk Fire Aviation Unit.