'33 Cases of Assault on Paramedics in the First Half of This Year'... Gyeonggi Fire Department "No Leniency for Malicious Complaints"

Gyeonggi-do Fire and Disaster Headquarters

The Gyeonggi-do Fire and Disaster Headquarters has decided to apply a zero-tolerance policy toward assaults on paramedics and malicious complaints.

The Special Judicial Police of the Fire and Disaster Headquarters announced on the 26th that, from the beginning of this year until the end of June, they investigated 33 cases of obstruction of fire activities, including assaults on paramedics within the province, and referred 32 cases to the prosecution with indictments. They plan to investigate without leniency any future obstruction of fire activities caused by assaults on paramedics and malicious complaints.

In fact, in January, a paramedic who responded to a report of a person injured by broken glass threatening others on a road in Seongnam was assaulted by Mr. A, who struck the paramedic in the face. The fire authorities booked Mr. A on charges including violations of the Fire Services Act and referred him to the prosecution.

Also, in Bucheon, Mr. B, who verbally abused paramedics on site and refused hospital transport, was booked on charges including violation of the Fire Services Act and referred to the prosecution. Mr. B also interfered with emergency services by making over 100 malicious complaint calls to the fire station.

Notably, among the 33 cases of obstruction of fire activities reported in the first half of this year, 22 cases (66.7%) involved intoxicated individuals. Most perpetrators of assault under the influence claim they do not remember the assault when the Gyeonggi Fire Special Judicial Police begin investigations.

However, since January last year, under the 'Special Act on Mitigation Provisions in the Criminal Act,' even if the assault or obstruction of fire activities is committed in a state of diminished capacity due to alcohol or drugs, mitigation is not allowed.

Cho Sun-ho, head of the Gyeonggi Fire and Disaster Headquarters, stated, "We plan to thoroughly investigate and strictly punish not only assaults on fire officials but also repeated obstruction of fire activities," and urged, "Please remember that obstruction of fire activities such as assaults on paramedics can make not only yourself and your family but all citizens victims."

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