Seoul 119 Metropolitan Investigation Unit Sends 204 Cases of Paramedic Assaults Over 3 Years to Prosecutors

253 Cases Investigated Through 119 Gwangyeok Investigation Unit Established in July 2018, 26 Cases Currently on Trial
239 Assault Cases During General Ambulance Dispatches, 14 Cases Related to COVID-19

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Seoul Fire and Disaster Headquarters announced on the 5th that it has referred 204 cases related to assaults on paramedics to the prosecution over the past three years since the establishment of the 119 Metropolitan Investigation Unit.

According to the Seoul Fire and Disaster Headquarters, since the establishment of the 119 Metropolitan Investigation Unit in July 2018, a total of 253 cases related to assaults on paramedics have been investigated, of which 204 cases were referred to the prosecution. After referral to the prosecution, 66 cases resulted in imprisonment and 92 cases in fines through trials. Currently, 26 cases are under trial, and 20 cases were not prosecuted.

Investigations into assaults occurring during general emergency activities accounted for 239 cases (94.5%). By emergency activity situation, assaults occurring inside the ambulance while transporting emergency patients numbered 73 cases, representing 28.9% of the total cases, the highest proportion.

In particular, 14 cases (5.5%) of assaults during emergency activities related to the COVID-19 infectious disease, which has been prevalent since last year, were also investigated. Among COVID-19 related activities, assaults on paramedics occurred 6 times while waiting for medical treatment, 5 times during temperature checks, and 3 times due to the threat of COVID-19 infection.

Article 50 of the current Fire Services Act stipulates that anyone who assaults or threatens dispatched firefighters, thereby obstructing fire suppression, rescue, or emergency activities, shall be punished by imprisonment of up to five years or a fine of up to 50 million won.

Choi Tae-young, head of the Seoul Fire and Disaster Headquarters, said, “We have been striving to establish a specialized investigation system to eradicate acts that obstruct firefighting activities,” and added, “Based on this, we will do our best to create a safe environment for both citizens and firefighters.”

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