Ko Youngguk, Gwangju Fire Department Chief, Begins Work with On-site Inspection

Paying Tribute at the May 18th Cemetery Without an Inauguration Ceremony
Safety Inspection at Apartment Construction Site

Youngguk Ko, Chief of Gwangju Fire Safety Headquarters.

Ko Youngguk, the 21st Chief of the Gwangju Fire Safety Headquarters, began his official duties on the 15th with a safety inspection at a construction site.

On this day, Chief Ko started his first official schedule without a separate inauguration ceremony by paying tribute at the National May 18th Democratic Cemetery, honoring the history and spirit of Gwangju. He then visited an apartment construction site in Wolsan-dong, Nam-gu, to inspect the safety management status. At the site, Chief Ko emphasized the importance of voluntary safety management and called for proactive measures through thorough preventive activities.

Chief Ko began his public service career in 1994 as a firefighter and has since served as Chief of the Jeju Western Fire Station, Head of the Education Support Division at the Central Fire Academy, Chief of the Chungcheongbuk-do Fire Headquarters, and Director of Planning and Finance at the National Fire Agency.

Chief Ko expressed his feelings upon taking office, stating, "I feel a great sense of responsibility as I am entrusted with the lives and safety of 1.41 million Gwangju citizens," and added, "I will do my utmost to provide the best 119 services tailored to the region's characteristics and needs, making Gwangju a safer and warmer city."