[Exclusive] Seoul City to Provide Up to 4 Million Won Scholarship to Children of Fallen Firefighters

Ordinance Enforcement Rules for Fallen Firefighters
First Support Through City Budget
Health Checkup Costs and Consolation Payments Provided

Seoul City will provide scholarships of up to 4 million KRW per year to the children of firefighters who died in the line of duty starting this year. This is the first time the city budget has been used to support scholarships for the families of fallen firefighters.

According to Seoul City on the 24th, the city established the "Seoul Metropolitan Government Regulations on Support for Fallen and Injured Firefighters" on the 14th. The regulations include provisions to support the families of fallen firefighters with scholarships, health checkups, and consolation payments. According to the Seoul Fire & Disaster Headquarters, a total of 17 firefighters died during firefighting activities between 2000 and 2022.

Previously, the city provided scholarships based on private funds under the "Seoul Metropolitan Government Ordinance on Firefighters' Health, Safety, and Welfare," but with the new regulations, scholarship payments from the city budget have begun. Scholarships are provided once a year until the completion of the respective school level: 1 million KRW for elementary school, 2 million KRW for middle and high school, and 4 million KRW for university. After accepting applications for about a week starting from the 15th, two university students and one high school student applied for the scholarship. The scholarships for this year’s applicants are scheduled to be paid early next year.

The National Fire Agency also provides educational support to the families of fallen firefighters, but Seoul City explained that this additional support was introduced to strengthen the city's responsibility. A Seoul city official said, "We hope such (fatal) accidents will not happen in the future, but if they do, the intention is to take full responsibility for the families," adding, "We plan to continue expanding support."

Following the establishment of the regulations, consolation payments and health checkup support for the families of fallen firefighters will also begin. Health checkups will be supported once a year for the spouse and parents of the fallen firefighter, up to 300,000 KRW per person. Consolation payments are stipulated to be provided up to 20 million KRW.

This regulation follows the passage of the "Seoul Metropolitan Government Ordinance on Support for Fallen and Injured Firefighters" by the city council last year. Park Seong-yeon, a Seoul city council member (People Power Party) who was the main proposer of the ordinance, said, "Since firefighters perform their duties on-site for the safety of citizens, Seoul City must fulfill its responsibilities when accidents occur," and added, "We will play a role in helping firefighters take pride and have a sense of honor."