Jeju Fire Headquarters Holds 'Emergency Fire Brigade Disbandment Ceremony'

Published 12 Jun.2023 14:13(KST)

The Jeju Fire Safety Headquarters (Chief Kim Su-hwan) announced on the 12th that it held a ‘Mandatory Fire Brigade Disbandment Ceremony’ in the large conference room on the first floor of the Fire Headquarters.

The mandatory fire brigade system was introduced as an alternative service system performing firefighting duties instead of military service, following the residential fire in Hongje-dong, Seoul in 2001, where six firefighters lost their lives.

Jeju Fire Safety Headquarters held a disbandment ceremony for the mandatory fire brigade on the 12th in the large conference room on the first floor of the Fire Headquarters.
[Photo by Jeju Fire Safety Headquarters]

In Jeju, 437 mandatory firefighters have carried out their duties over 21 years from 2002 to 2023, but the system was abolished recently due to reasons such as a shortage of military service resources, thus disappearing into history.

The disbandment ceremony, held under the theme ‘We will remember the mandatory firefighters. Thank you! Jeju Mandatory Fire Brigade,’ was attended by Chief Kim Su-hwan, fire officials, and four members of the last class, the 73rd Mandatory Fire Brigade.

The ceremony proceeded in the order of discharge report → presentation of discharge commemorative plaques → screening of commemorative video → discharge remarks → chief’s congratulatory speech → commemorative photo session.

Song Dong-ho, representative of the 73rd class, said, “It is an honor to stand at this meaningful occasion marking the end of the mandatory fire brigade’s history,” and added, “I am grateful to the staff who showed warmth and consideration. Although the mandatory fire brigade is disbanded, I hope it remains forever in everyone’s memory.”

Chief Kim Su-hwan said, “I have vivid memories of being involved in various tasks as a staff member during the establishment of the mandatory fire brigade in 2002,” and added, “I sincerely thank the 437 mandatory firefighters for their efforts to ensure Jeju’s safety, and I will remember your noble footsteps.”