Seo Samseok Calls for Supplementary Budget to Establish Wildfire Response System

Urgent Need for Large Helicopter R&D
and Enactment of a Forest Equipment Act

Seosamsuk National Assembly Member

During the review of the "2025 First Supplementary Budget Bill" submitted as an agenda item to the National Assembly's Agriculture, Food, Rural Affairs, Oceans and Fisheries Committee on April 23, the necessity of allocating a supplementary budget for establishing an effective wildfire response system was raised.

Seo Samseok, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea (representing Yeongam, Muan, and Shinan in South Jeolla Province), commented on the government's supplementary budget for this year, specifically the "introduction and operation of forest helicopters" project. He stated, "The government has allocated 49.5 billion won for the introduction of three remanufactured helicopters, which are rebuilt from helicopters manufactured over 50 years ago." He further explained, "Since the airframes themselves are outdated models, there are safety concerns and difficulties in securing parts such as those for the KA-32. Additionally, the budget estimate was based on figures from two years ago, so there is concern that public tenders may fail due to increases in prices and tariffs."

He continued, "Since 2022, the shortage of KA-32 parts due to the Russia-Ukraine war has highlighted the need for R&D on large helicopters. Therefore, we must develop a domestically produced large firefighting helicopter through research and development efforts at multiple ministries, including the Korea Forest Service, Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of the Interior and Safety, National Police Agency, Korea Coast Guard, and National Fire Agency." He also proposed, "Just as the Korea Coast Guard has the Coast Guard Equipment Act, we should enact a so-called 'Forest Equipment Act' to introduce high-quality equipment utilizing the latest technology."

Criticism was also directed at the government for its lack of adequate budget support in response to the spread of foot-and-mouth disease. Seo stated, "According to the Livestock Infectious Disease Prevention Act, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs is required to provide support for costs incurred when access is restricted due to concerns about the spread of infectious diseases. However, the amount allocated is far too insufficient, and the government's disregard for the law is irresponsible." He added, "The timing of payments must also be appropriate in order to effectively prevent and block the spread of infectious diseases, so additional budget allocation is urgently needed."

Improvements were also demanded regarding the inadequate equipment provided to wildfire suppression crews. Seo said, "Wildfire suppression crews risk their lives in the field to fight wildfires, but they are provided with moldy helmets or have to purchase firefighting suits at their own expense. The situation is so dire that even fundraising for equipment improvements has taken place." He emphasized, "The supplementary budget must include the necessary funds to provide all suppression crew members with the relevant equipment."

Meanwhile, Seo added, "Wildfires are becoming larger in scale, so government-level countermeasures are urgently needed." He further stated, "From the perspective of the National Assembly's Agriculture, Food, Rural Affairs, Oceans and Fisheries Committee, I propose increasing the budget for necessary projects, including leasing helicopters for the Korea Forest Service."

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