National Fire Agency Discusses Pre-Designated Hospital Transfers for Four Major Emergency Patient Categories to End "Ping-Pong" Issue (Comprehensive)

National Fire Agency Reports to Ministry of the Interior and Safety on January 8
Measures for Firefighting Helicopters and High-Rise Building Fire Safety Also Announced

On January 8, the National Fire Agency announced measures to address the so-called "emergency room ping-pong" issue, stating, "For the four major categories of critical and emergency patients, we are discussing a plan where paramedics notify pre-designated hospitals and transport the patient, and the hospital is then obligated to accept them."

Kim Seungryong, Acting Commissioner of the National Fire Agency, presented this and other items in the "2026 National Fire Agency Major Work Report" to Minister of the Interior and Safety Yoon Hojoong at the Government Complex Sejong earlier that morning.

Yonhap News Agency

Acting Commissioner Kim explained, "When a critical or emergency patient, such as someone suffering from a heart attack, stroke, severe trauma, or cardiac arrest, occurs, there is no time to select a hospital. Therefore, we must immediately notify the designated hospital and transport the patient to secure the golden hour."

He added, "If the hospital to which the patient is transported cannot provide final treatment, we are discussing with the Ministry of Health and Welfare the possibility of transferring the patient to a secondary hospital, but there are many difficulties. We are currently discussing how to ensure the emergency medical system can operate at the local level, and the government plans to finalize and announce these measures soon."

This year, the National Fire Agency plans to establish a comprehensive, state-led response system from the initial stage of large-scale disasters. To this end, all fire helicopters nationwide will be operated as a single integrated fleet, completing a dispatch system without jurisdictional boundaries.

When Minister Yoon asked about confusion in the command system during large-scale wildfires, Acting Commissioner Kim responded, "In the early stages of a wildfire, the aerial firefighting operation is conducted by helicopters, so the Korea Forest Service leads the command system. However, as wildfires are increasingly spreading as urban disasters these days, the on-site command system must inevitably be centered on the National Fire Agency to protect buildings and human lives on the ground. We will actively respond to wildfires from the outset in cooperation with the Korea Forest Service, local governments, the military, and the police."

Since the "Hong Kong high-rise apartment fire" incident in November last year, the National Fire Agency has also been working to assess the domestic situation regarding similar risks. Last month, special fire safety inspections were conducted on 223 high-rise buildings nationwide, and a full survey of all 6,503 high-rise buildings in Korea is scheduled to be completed by June.

There are also ongoing discussions about supporting the replacement of exterior cladding on super high-rise buildings constructed with combustible materials before the implementation of exterior cladding regulations. Song Hoyoung, Director of Fire Prevention at the National Fire Agency, explained, "Completely replacing all exterior cladding is extremely costly, so we are discussing with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport ways to provide financial support and interest subsidies, at least to replace the cladding on the lower floors used for commercial purposes with fire-resistant materials."

Acting Commissioner Kim stated, "For high-rise buildings constructed with combustible cladding, we will thoroughly conduct special fire inspections, drills, and evacuation training for residents. We have also implemented special management measures for the 101 affected sites under the jurisdiction of local fire stations."

Additionally, the National Fire Agency announced plans to establish a "next-generation 119 system" utilizing AI and big data, creating a virtuous cycle where all data from reporting to dispatch, investigation, and analysis feeds back into prevention policies. New high-risk facilities such as data centers and lithium battery installations will undergo comprehensive inspections to address regulatory blind spots as part of proactive prevention efforts.

The agency also presented a blueprint for "stronger solidarity" and "advanced scientific firefighting." It aims to fundamentally resolve delays in emergency patient transport by strengthening cooperation with the medical community and related agencies, and to systematically manage the mental and physical health of firefighters, centering on the National Fire Service Hospital.

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

Acting Commissioner Kim emphasized, "This year, we will pursue living policies that immediately take effect on the ground, embodying the values of life, solidarity, and dedication. We will mobilize the full capabilities of the National Fire Agency and its affiliated organizations to create a safe nation where the public can live with peace of mind."