The Democratic Party's 5th Talent Recruitment: Former Firefighter Oh Young-hwan's 'A Firefighter's Prayer'

Recently Served as a Firefighter... Sharing On-Site Stories Through Publications
Spouse is Sports Climbing Athlete Kim Ja-in

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jin-young] The Democratic Party of Korea announced its fifth recruitment for the 21st general election on the 7th. The main figure is 'Firefighting Evangelist' Oh Young-hwan (31), a former firefighter.

On the 7th, Oh Young-hwan, the 5th recruited talent of the Democratic Party, who is a firefighter, is answering questions from reporters. Oh Young-hwan served as an aviation crew member at the Central 119 Rescue Headquarters and retired in December last year. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

Oh, a former firefighter, began his career in 2010 as a member of the 119 rescue team at Gwangjin Fire Station and recently worked as an aviation crew member at the Central 119 Rescue Headquarters, taking charge of field operations. In 2015, he published the book "A Firefighter's Prayer," sharing stories of frontline firefighters dedicated in harsh environments, and gained public recognition by appearing on JTBC's "Malhaneun Daero." He is also the spouse of sport climbing athlete Kim Ja-in.

At the recruitment press conference held that morning, Oh said, "I want to change the gap between law and reality that I felt on the scene as a rescue worker through politics now," and expressed his ambition, "I will create a country where uniformed public officials working on the front lines can wholeheartedly dedicate themselves to the nation for the people."

He added, "I wanted to live my life as a firefighter saving people, but now I am putting aside my lifelong dream and starting politics. I thought someone needs to support the laws, systems, and budgets necessary for the lives and safety of the people," and said, "The most desperate people should do politics to work more desperately. While working as a rescue worker, I painfully realized that those in harsh environments are more easily exposed to danger, and I want to change this through politics."

Regarding the transition of firefighters to national public officials, which was passed last October, he criticized, "The transition to national status itself is half-hearted," and pointed out, "I felt skeptical about politics that do not want to recognize people who risk their lives to protect the people's property and safety as national public officials."

In the following Q&A session, he explained his entry into politics, saying, "I originally had little interest in politics, but the Sewol ferry disaster was a decisive turning point that made me interested," and "Afterwards, watching the dismantling of the National Emergency Management Agency and the creation of the Ministry of Public Safety and Security, I went alone to Gwanghwamun for a one-person protest. From then on, I was able to study by seeing firsthand the reality of political parties where opinions clash and agreements are made." It is also known that his spouse Kim expressed positive support, saying, "I will trust and support you."

On the same day, Democratic Party leader Lee Hae-chan welcomed Oh's recruitment, saying, "The Sewol ferry disaster clearly showed what happens when the state abandons its people," and "We will share this desperate feeling together with the Democratic Party. The Democratic Party will take it as its duty to protect the lives and safety of the people."

Meanwhile, the Democratic Party plans to continue announcing talents representing various fields and classes for this year's general election. The scale of recruitment is expected to be about 10 people. Previously, the Democratic Party recruited Professor Choi Hye-young of Gangdong University, representing women and people with disabilities, followed by Won Jong-geon, former Army General Kim Byung-joo, and former High Prosecutor So Byung-chul.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.