Cho Sun-ho, head of the Gyeonggi-do Fire and Disaster Headquarters, is taking a commemorative photo with fire department executives after unveiling the Haetae statue in front of the headquarters main gate in Gwonseon-gu, Suwon on the 10th.
On the 10th, the Gyeonggi-do Fire and Disaster Headquarters installed a pair of 'Haetae statues,' symbolic figures wishing for the safety of Gyeonggi residents, on both sides of the main entrance of the headquarters building in Gwonseon-gu, Suwon, and held an unveiling ceremony.
The Fire and Disaster Headquarters explained that the Haetae statues were installed on this day to commemorate October 10, the day when Korea's first 119 ambulance began operation in 1938.
The Haetae is an imaginary creature that judges right and wrong, good and evil. Unlike the Chinese Haetae, Korea's Haetae has no horns and is sometimes humorously depicted depending on the artist, showing originality. It is an animal that wards off fire and disasters and is installed at major buildings such as Gyeongbokgung Palace and the National Assembly.
The Haetae statues installed at the Gyeonggi-do Fire and Disaster Headquarters measure 75 cm in width, 33 cm in depth, 65 cm in height, and weigh 280 kg.
Jo Seon-ho, head of the Gyeonggi-do Fire and Disaster Headquarters, said, "As the Haetae is a sacred creature that wards off fire and disasters, I hope that the residents of Gyeonggi-do will be safer, just like the symbol of the Haetae."
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