Most Interference Cases Involve Intoxicated Emergency Patients
Verbal Abuse and Assault Account for Nearly All Incidents
Zero-Tolerance Policy to Be Enforced Against Offenders
This year, 8 out of 10 incidents of interference with firefighting activities in Seoul were caused by intoxicated emergency patients.
According to the Seoul Metropolitan Fire and Disaster Headquarters on August 13, out of 25 cases of interference with firefighting activities-including fire, emergency, and rescue dispatches-from January to July this year, 20 cases were found to be caused by intoxicated emergency patients. It was also analyzed that 24 cases, accounting for 96% of all incidents, involved verbal abuse or physical assault.
The Fire and Disaster Headquarters reported that, for the past three years, there have been consistently more than 90 cases of interference with firefighting activities each year-96 cases in 2022, 92 cases in 2023, and 92 cases last year.
As of the end of last month, the Seoul Metropolitan Fire and Disaster Headquarters had investigated 19 cases of interference with firefighting activities and referred them to the prosecution. Three cases were transferred to other investigative agencies, and three cases are still under investigation. According to the Framework Act on Fire Services and the Act on 119 Rescue and Emergency Services, those who interfere with firefighting activities may face up to five years in prison or a fine of up to 50 million won.
Kwon Hyukmin, Chief of the Seoul Metropolitan Fire and Disaster Headquarters, stated, "Verbal abuse or physical assault against firefighters on duty is a regrettable act that makes it difficult to protect citizens' lives in urgent situations where every second counts." He added, "We will apply a zero-tolerance policy against those who interfere with firefighting activities and respond proactively to ensure that firefighters can focus on their duties in a safer environment at disaster scenes."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
