"Is a 119 Ambulance a Call Van? Controversy Over Using Emergency Vehicles to Transport Jamboree Members' Luggage"

On the 12th in Daejeon, Six Ambulances Deployed
Firefighters' Union: "It Was Done at the Expense of Public Lives"

Controversy has arisen after it was revealed that ambulances were deployed during the 2023 Saemangeum World Scout Jamboree event despite no emergency situations. The National Public Officials Labor Union Fire Department Headquarters (hereinafter referred to as the Firefighters' Union) expressed strong regret, stating that 119 ambulances were used to transport the luggage of Jamboree participants.

This photo is not directly related to the content of the article. [Photo by Asia Economy DB]

In a statement titled "Are 119 Ambulances Call Vans?" released on the 14th, the Firefighters' Union stated, "On the 12th, six 119 ambulances were used as luggage vehicles to transport the luggage of about 1,400 Jamboree participants leaving a dormitory at a university in Daejeon."

The process of using ambulances as luggage vehicles was photographed and spread through online communities. The author of the post wrote, "The 119 paramedics, who deserve respect, are being used as porters... They left fully loaded with suitcases and soon returned to load more, so it seems the ambulance is just a luggage shuttle."

In response to the controversy, the Firefighters' Union expressed regret in their statement, saying, "The ambulances deployed this time were not spare ambulances." The union added, "While we should cooperate with national efforts for the success of this global Jamboree event, the current situation is excessive," and questioned, "Was there no other way than to deploy ambulances that should be dispatched for emergencies?"

On the 11th, Nam Hwa-young, Commissioner of the National Fire Agency, and Kim Kwang-ho, Commissioner of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, are discussing safety measures related to the closing ceremony of the World Scout Jamboree at Sangam World Cup Stadium in Mapo-gu, Seoul.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

They also said, "We need to consider whether ambulances in South Korea are being operated thoughtlessly," adding, "Ambulances frequently deployed at sports events and local festivals are the very ambulances that should be dispatched for emergencies."

The Firefighters' Union stated, "Deploying six 119 ambulances for about 1,400 Jamboree participants assigned to Daejeon is a dangerous act that risks the lives of the public," and called for reform of the practice of indiscriminately deploying ambulances triggered by this incident.

They further demanded, "Please establish measures to prevent the misuse of ambulances and clearly define the responsibilities of those who abused their authority to deploy ambulances."

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