What Did the Uniform of the Korean Empire's 'Royal Palace Firefighters' Look Like?… Gyeonggi Fire Department Recreates It for the First Time Nationwide

The Gyeonggi-do Fire and Disaster Headquarters has succeeded for the first time in Korea in reproducing the royal palace firefighter uniform from the Korean Empire era in 1907.

On the 28th, the Fire and Disaster Headquarters held the "Korean Empire Era 1907 Royal Palace Firefighter Uniform Production Presentation" at Jangheon Hall within the Suwon headquarters, led by Professor Lee Kyung-mi of Hankyong National University, along with Professor Nomura Michiyo of Jang-an University and Lee Min-jung, CEO of K-Costume Lab. The event was based on the reproduction table and diagrams of the firefighter uniform from the Korean Empire period, following meticulous verification.

The restored firefighter uniform was fully reproduced based on the 1907 Korean Empire regulations, including the hat, jacket, pants, gaiters (protective gear), and shoes.

Cho Sun-ho, Director of Gyeonggi-do Fire and Disaster Headquarters (sixth from the left), attended the uniform production presentation ceremony for the Royal Fire Brigade of the 11th year of Gwangmu of the Korean Empire at the Gyeonggi-do Fire and Disaster Headquarters in Suwon on the 28th and took a commemorative photo with the attendees. Photo by Gyeonggi-do Fire and Disaster Headquarters

The reproduction of the Korean Empire firefighter uniform is an important heritage symbolizing the history and tradition of Korean firefighting. However, since no actual garments currently exist, even firefighters were largely unaware of it. Therefore, the restored firefighter uniform will be used as a major exhibit in the Fire History Museum and serve as educational and promotional material on firefighting history.

Professor Lee Kyung-mi of Hankyong National University, who participated in the production, evaluated, "The unique feature of Korean firefighter uniforms is the precise indication of job roles by engraving symbolic images on the hat badge, collar insignia, and sleeve patches."

Jo Seon-ho, head of the Gyeonggi-do Fire and Disaster Headquarters, emphasized, "By reproducing the Korean Empire royal palace firefighter uniform this time, Gyeonggi Fire is now the only organization nationwide to possess three firefighting relics from the Korean Empire era. We will do our best to provide better firefighting services based on this historical pride."