Despite Wildfire Crisis, Fire Chief Faces Allegations of Drinking While Hiking with Staff

Evidence Emerges of Hiking and Drinking Makgeolli During Working Hours
Audit Launched Following Petition; Disciplinary Action to Follow Pending Results

An allegation has emerged that a fire chief in North Jeolla Province went hiking and drank alcohol with subordinates during working hours last April, at a time when large-scale wildfires were causing damage in North Gyeongsang Province.

The scene of the Yeongnam wildfire that occurred last April. Photo by Yonhap News

On September 26, Yonhap News quoted a petition submitted to the Board of Audit and Inspection, reporting, "Chief A went hiking for about an hour and a half during working hours on April 17, a weekday, and drank Makgeolli along the way." It was also reported that photos show the staff who were with him taking out snacks and pouring alcohol into disposable cups.

This incident occurred after major wildfires in the Yeongnam region had caused more than 1 trillion won in damages to private and public facilities, resulting in 27 deaths, 156 injuries, and the destruction of over 100,000 hectares of forest. At the time, the entire nation was in a state of mourning.

Additionally, there is a separate allegation that Chief A drank alcohol with staff at a restaurant after work on March 25, when a national fire mobilization order was issued in response to the Gyeongbuk wildfire. Even if the fire station overseen by Chief A was not included as a "supporting city or province" under the national fire mobilization order, firefighters nationwide were required to remain on emergency standby.

The North Jeolla Fire Department stated that it reported the situation to the Board of Audit and Inspection after belatedly confirming the relevant circumstances, and that it plans to initiate disciplinary procedures depending on the results of the audit.

In a phone call with Yonhap News, Chief A said, "An audit is underway by a higher authority, and I have signed a confidentiality agreement, so I cannot comment further." However, he added, "There are parts of the facts that are different, so I will clarify my position after the audit results are released."