[Power K-Women] Lee Osuk, Jeonbuk Fire Headquarters Chief: "Fear is Part of Growth... Don't Set Limits"

First Female Fire Commissioner in 76 Years of Firefighting History
Responding to Emergencies with Unique Communication Skills
Proved Competence as a Woman
Demonstrated Proactiveness Without Limiting Duties
"If You Can't Avoid It, Turn It into an Opportunity"

"I always said, 'Please assign me too,' 'Is there anything I can help with?' I didn't want to do only the stereotypical tasks assigned to women."

Recently, I met Lee Osuk, the head of the Jeonbuk Fire Headquarters at the Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province Office in Jeonju, Jeonbuk. She was the epitome of 'gentle charisma.' With a calm and gentle tone, she recalled the days she was active in disasters such as heavy rain, earthquakes, fires, and urgent rescue situations where every second counted. Behind her achievement of becoming the 'first female fire chief in the 76-year history of firefighting' was her proactiveness and patience, always striving to do well wherever she was without blaming the given circumstances and environment.

In the rough and tough male-dominated work environment, her delicacy and communication skills became strengths. She always communicated directly to solve problems while interacting with seniors as juniors and colleagues or building cooperation systems with other organizations. Thanks to that, she rose through fire stations nationwide and reached the position of spokesperson at the National Fire Agency last year.

After being appointed as the head of the headquarters in May, Director Lee devoted herself for four months to responding to various disasters in Jeonbuk. She had to respond quickly to the June earthquake in Buan, fires in Gimje and Iksan, and river flooding caused by heavy rain in July. Even within the Fire Headquarters, she is well known for her swift response to emergencies.

- The firefighting field is not easy for women to challenge, and the number of female personnel itself is small. Was there a reason you decided to become a firefighter?

△ I was influenced by my father, who was a volunteer fire chief during my school days. I grew up watching my father gather members and head out to forest fire sites, and I had a vague romantic notion of uniformed public officials. As a public administration student, I thought about becoming a public official, and in my senior year of university, my senior husband encouraged me to consult with my advisor. My professor told me that firefighting would become the profession most needed by the public in the future, so I should prepare well and definitely pass. Thanks to that encouragement, I gained the courage to challenge myself.

- Since becoming a firefighter, you have walked a path no one else has. Your career is filled with 'firsts,' such as the first female fire station chief in Daejeon and the first female fire chief in the Yeongnam region. Is there a special secret?

△ When I was appointed in 1988, there were only one or two female firefighters in each fire station at most. Most of them performed relatively simple tasks such as civil affairs, payroll, and fire prevention publicity, so it was difficult to be recognized for work and get promoted through evaluations. Fortunately, I passed the promotion exam twice, allowing me to be promoted earlier than my peers and seniors, and naturally, the title of 'first' followed. Looking back, rather than being disappointed by the poor conditions, I tried to find what I could do in that situation.

Perhaps the label 'first female' was the strength that helped me endure. Every time I walked a new path that women had not taken, I had to go through the process of proving my ability, which was sometimes overwhelming and difficult. But with the sense of mission that 'if I can't endure, there might be no opportunity for juniors,' I did my best, and that's how I am here today.

Lee Osuk, Fire Chief of Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province, is recently being interviewed in the Fire Headquarters Office at Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province Government Office. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

- Specifically, what kind of restrictions did you face?

△ In the male-centered organizational culture, there was an atmosphere that female firefighters should only be assigned certain tasks. I sometimes felt burdened by the constant need to prove my ability because I wanted to be recognized for my work and take on important and new tasks. At those times, I always instilled confidence in myself that I could do any task well.

- While working as a firefighter, you also attended graduate school and conducted research related to firefighting organizations.

△ I majored in public administration and wanted to study more by entering graduate school after graduation. However, before graduating, I became a firefighter, got married shortly after, lived with my mother-in-law, and was so busy raising children that 24 hours a day was not enough, so I forgot about it.

Then, while working as the head of the Gungdong 119 Safety Center at Daejeon Northern Fire Station, my mother-in-law passed away due to a chronic illness. A few days after the funeral, my husband said I had worked hard and offered to help if I still wanted to study, encouraging me to start. After that, I prepared and entered graduate school, wanting to contribute to the organization as a firefighter, and conducted research on organizational trust and organizational performance. Based on my firefighting experience, I conducted an empirical study on 'the effect of communication within the organization on job satisfaction,' and some of the suggestions from the thesis were reflected in firefighting policies.

- What was the most difficult thing in your life?

△ It was when I failed the promotion exam for fire lieutenant once. Since the number of selected candidates was very small and the results were determined by exam scores, work experience, and work performance, it was rare to pass on the first try, and many passed after two or three attempts or eventually gave up. I had only been promoted for about two years, so my work experience and performance were low, and my preparation time was short, so I took the exam without expectations, thinking it was just for experience. But when I saw the results, I realized I could have passed if I had answered just half a question more correctly. I regretted not doing my best, which was unlike me. For a year after that, I rushed to the study room right after work, came home after midnight, and barely fell asleep.

- What is your greatest achievement so far?

△ When I was in charge of emergency medical services at the National Fire Agency, I thought I needed to create a system for public safety. At that time, I revised the laws related to the entire 119 emergency medical service and created the first guidelines for on-site emergency treatment by 119 paramedics. Emergency medicine specialists from various university hospitals participated to establish detailed standards on how paramedics should properly perform their duties and how to respond to patients individually.

- As a former spokesperson of the National Fire Agency, it seems you also utilized your communication skills as a strength.

△ Yes. When I was the head of the Gungdong 119 Safety Center, the center was located inside a university shopping district, and fire trucks had difficulty dispatching due to cars parked densely on both sides of the road. We had to secure dispatch routes, so we strengthened parking enforcement, but business owners complained that enforcement hurt their business, and the problem was not resolved, straining relations with them.

After much thought, I went to the site, measured the road width, and tried passing the fire truck alongside the parked cars, finding that parking on only one side would not hinder dispatch. I invited the business owners in the dispatch route area to a luncheon meeting at a nearby restaurant, explained our position on securing fire lanes, listened to their opinions, and asked them to park only on one side across the building. Since that day, whenever fire trucks dispatched, the business owners came out first to check if there was any obstruction, allowing smooth dispatch. This was a valuable experience showing that if both sides understand each other's positions a little instead of insisting only on their own, seemingly unsolvable problems can be surprisingly easily resolved.

Lee Osuk, Fire Chief of Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province, is recently being interviewed in the Fire Chief's office at the Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province Office. Photo by Kang Jinhyung aymsdream@

- Do you have any life values or principles?

△ To always maintain a positive mindset and live with gratitude in any situation, not to fear what cannot be avoided but rather turn it into an opportunity. Also, to live with the thought of doing your best now without regretting later.

- Was there someone you regarded as a mentor in your social life?

△ When I was a sophomore in university, I met my husband as a senior and junior in the same department, and he has been unwavering ever since, perhaps knowing me better than I know myself. He is a sharp yet precise advisor who constantly supports and encourages me.

- What would you like to say to female colleagues about to take on challenges and to female juniors following you?

△ Fear is not the opposite of success but part of growth. Challenges make us stronger and give us a broader perspective. Take courage and take the first step, and even if you fall, get back up. Every step you take is a beacon of hope for the juniors who follow. If we grow together and support each other, we can create greater change. Do not limit yourself; regardless of being female or male, believe in yourself as a firefighter and dream big.

- Do you have any dreams or goals for the future?

△ My current goal is to communicate diversely with colleagues as the head of the headquarters and closely cooperate with related departments in the province as well as the local community to protect the safety of the residents. I will also do my best to make Jeonbuk Fire grow and be trusted. After the remaining three years of public service, I want to finish well as a role model for juniors. Based on my public service experience, I want to help nurture juniors or become someone who can contribute even a little to society.

Director Lee Osuk

was appointed as a firefighter in Daejeon in 1988 and has worked in the firefighting industry for 36 years. She held key positions such as head of the Gungdong Fire Station in Daejeon and head of the Northern Fire Station in Daegu. In 2020, she served as the head of the COVID-19 Emergency Response Division at the National Fire Agency. Last year, she worked as the spokesperson for about a year before being appointed head of the Jeonbuk Fire Headquarters in May this year.