National Fire Agency Delivers Live Work Report to Ministry of Interior and Safety: "Respect for Life, Public Safety as Top Priority"

Major Disasters: State-Led Response from the Outset
Completion of Nationwide Integrated Firefighting Helicopter Operations
Expansion of AI, Big Data, and Firefighting Technology Utilization

On January 8, the National Fire Agency announced during a work report to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety that its top priority would be "flawless and sophisticated response, as well as scientific prevention based on data." This work report was the first to be broadcast live among affiliated agencies and bureaus.

On the morning of January 8, the National Fire Agency held the "2026 National Fire Agency Major Work Report" for the Ministry of the Interior and Safety at the Central Building of the Government Complex Sejong. The purpose of this report was to share the agency's core strategies for the year, based on the vision of "Respect for Life, Public Safety as the Top Priority."

Yonhap News Agency

Kim Seungryong, Acting Commissioner of the National Fire Agency, stated that the agency would establish a comprehensive, state-led response posture from the earliest stages of major disasters, and would integrate the operation of fire helicopters nationwide to create a rapid dispatch system unconstrained by jurisdictional boundaries.

He also announced plans to build a "next-generation 119 system" utilizing artificial intelligence and big data, creating a virtuous cycle in which all data-from emergency calls to dispatch, investigation, and analysis-feeds back into preventive policy. The agency will also conduct comprehensive inspections of new high-risk facilities such as data centers and lithium battery installations, implementing preventive administration to address regulatory blind spots.

The agency also presented a blueprint for "stronger solidarity" and "advanced scientific firefighting." It plans to strengthen cooperation with the medical community and related organizations to fundamentally resolve delays in transporting emergency patients, and to systematically manage the physical and mental health of firefighters, centered around the National Fire Hospital.

The National Fire Agency aims to enhance its competitiveness by utilizing and investing in firefighting technology. Advanced equipment such as unmanned firefighting robots and dedicated drone teams will be deployed immediately to hazardous disaster sites to improve response effectiveness, and the R&D budget will be significantly increased.

Acting Commissioner Kim stated, "This year, we will pursue practical policies that embody the values of life, solidarity, and dedication, and can be implemented immediately in the field. We will mobilize the capabilities of the National Fire Agency and its affiliated organizations to the fullest to create a safe country where the public can live with peace of mind."