SUWON — Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Mi-ae said she will conduct a full review of safety systems at fire scenes and of working conditions for firefighters, following a fire in Bucheon. The province will run a dedicated task force to examine everything from fire prevention to on-site response and workplace conditions, with measures to be drawn up by December.
Choo made the remarks at the province's monthly meeting held on the 26th at the Gyeonggi Province Northern Office. About 50 senior provincial officials attended, including the first vice governor for administration, the vice governor for economic affairs, the head of the Fire and Disaster Headquarters, the senior secretaries for policy and political affairs, and bureau directors. The monthly meeting, where provincial issues and major policies are discussed, has been streamed online since last month.
Ahead of the meeting, Choo paid tribute to the late Fire Lieutenant Kim Jin-seok, who died in the line of duty in the Bucheon fire, and wished a swift recovery for injured firefighters. "Taking this accident as an occasion, we will take another look at the safety systems, working conditions and overall treatment of firefighters in the field," she said. "We will come up with fundamental improvements."
She noted that although firefighters have been reclassified as national civil servants, the financial burden remains concentrated on local governments. "To properly respond to firefighting demand and improve the safety and treatment of firefighters, the national government's responsibility for fire service funding must be strengthened," Choo said.
The province's fire service task force will examine fire prevention systems at hazardous facilities, the management of illegal hazardous materials, and gaps in the oversight of flammable and explosive substances. It also plans to closely investigate the cause of the Bucheon fire and how it was fought.
The task force will also review the criteria used to assess risk at fire scenes, the procedures for deploying and withdrawing firefighters, and systems for on-site command and safety management. A survey of working conditions and treatment will be conducted in parallel. After its first meeting, the task force will identify practical measures and present a comprehensive plan by December.
The meeting also included a report on the response to pine wilt disease. Cha Seong-su, director general of the Climate, Environment and Energy Bureau, said a dedicated task force is analyzing data including satellite imagery to draw up control measures, and has completed its first meeting and the designation of a special control zone in Gapyeong County. He also reported that the province is discussing forming a joint control body with Gangwon State.
Choo instructed officials to speed up the response to the disease. "Now, when the Japanese pine sawyer beetle is inactive, is the right time for control work," she said. "Emergency measures must be taken before mid-November." She added, "Please respond quickly, drawing on expert opinion and research cases from other regions."
She also stressed communication with the provincial council. "From Nov. 3, the administrative audit and deliberation on next year's main budget will begin in earnest," Choo said. "The council's criticisms and proposals must be faithfully reflected in provincial administration."
At the meeting, the province also unveiled for the first time a question-and-answer program called "Answering the Eyes of Residents," through which it communicates directly with residents. Residents ask questions about provincial administration, and the governor and relevant bureau directors answer them directly.
Jeong Du-seok, director general of the Planning and Coordination Office, responded to a question about issuing local government bonds. "Next year we will have to pay more than 400 million won a day in interest," he said. "Expanding local bonds alone will not resolve the structural problems in our finances."
A youth press corps asked about spaces for youth activities, inconveniences in public transportation, and the creation of bicycle paths for children. Relevant bureau directors introduced youth culture centers, rest cafes, the GTX rail project and the province's Pyeonha-G commuter bus service. They also agreed on the need to build bicycle paths that children can use safely.
Responding to children who proposed meeting the governor in person for a discussion, Choo said, "I will accept your wish," adding, "I will arrange a meeting so that you can grow your dreams."
The meeting also covered achieving zero casualties from storm and flood damage in 2026, a full inspection of large logistics warehouses for fire risks, AI-driven administrative innovation in the province, a youth development project and measures against pine wilt disease. The road construction division of the provincial construction headquarters received a commendation for establishing provincial construction standards to improve the visibility of road lane markings.