Commissioner Seungryong Kim: "Leading the AI Transformation of Fire Services... Setting the Standard for K-Fire"

Inauguration of the 7th National Fire Agency Commissioner: Advanced Technology-Driven Disaster Response
Commitment to Fostering Specialized Talent and Supporting Fire Industry Exports

Seungryong Kim, the newly appointed Commissioner of the National Fire Agency (pictured), announced his commitment to leading the AI-driven transformation of firefighting by utilizing advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and big data as the foundation for disaster response.

Seungryong Kim, the 7th Commissioner of the National Fire Agency. Photo by National Fire Agency

In his inaugural address on March 18, Commissioner Kim, who has taken office as the 7th head of the National Fire Agency, stated, "We are now at a major turning point where the paradigm of human safety is fundamentally shifting. We must integrate advanced technologies to predict disaster risks and strengthen our national disaster response capabilities."

He emphasized his plan to build sophisticated AI-powered response systems, such as implementing the next-generation 119 integrated system and deploying cutting-edge equipment like unmanned firefighting robots, which recently played a pivotal role during a factory fire in Eumseong, North Chungcheong Province.

He further stated, "We will implement targeted prevention policies to proactively identify locations with a high risk of disasters, and significantly increase research and development (R&D) investments for developing high-performance firefighting equipment."

Additionally, he pledged to break away from conventional reporting systems and rigid command structures, instead granting real authority and responsibility to field commanders to enable proactive leadership on the ground.

Commissioner Kim also highlighted the importance of cultivating specialized talent and building an agile organization in the firefighting sector. "We will strengthen field response capabilities through repetitive team tactical training," he said, adding, "We will streamline the firefighting education and training system, and nurture professional talent across all areas, including prevention, response, and administration."

He also announced plans to bolster customized policy support so that firefighting industry companies can focus on technology development and exports. Through these efforts, he aspires for 'K-Firefighting' to become the global standard in the firefighting industry.

"Just as K-Culture has led global culture, I believe the firefighting industry has more than enough potential to become a global standard as well," Kim said, adding, "We will boldly reform regulations that hinder the growth of the firefighting industry."

Meanwhile, Commissioner Kim was born in Iksan, North Jeolla Province in 1967 and entered public service in 1997 as part of the 9th class of fire officer candidates. He has held a wide range of key positions both in the field and in administration, including Chief of the North Jeolla Provincial Fire Headquarters, Director of Fire Policy at the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, Spokesperson of the National Fire Agency, Director of Equipment and Technology, Principal of the Central Fire Service Academy, and Chief of the Gangwon Special Self-Governing Provincial Fire Headquarters.

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