National Fire Agency Signs Firefighting Cooperation MOU with Vietnam's Ministry of Public Security

Cooperation in Korean Firefighting Technology, Industry, and Training

Expanded Collaboration in Firefighting and Rescue Command Systems

The National Fire Agency has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Ministry of Public Security of Vietnam to strengthen cooperation in the fields of firefighting, rescue, and emergency response.

The signing ceremony took place on the 15th (local time) at the headquarters of the Ministry of Public Security in Hanoi, Vietnam. Attendees included Seungryong Kim, Commissioner of the National Fire Agency, the agency’s delegation, and Ngoc Lam Nguyen, Deputy Minister of Public Security of Vietnam, along with other officials from the Vietnamese ministry. Both sides exchanged a wide range of opinions on expanding cooperation in firefighting and rescue, enhancing disaster response capabilities, and identifying practical ways to advance the firefighting industry.

Fire Commissioner Seungryong Kim (left) and Nguyen Ngoc Lum, Vice Minister of Public Security of Vietnam (right), are posing for a commemorative photo after signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen cooperation in fire and rescue at the Ministry of Public Security building in Hanoi, Vietnam. Fire Agency

This agreement was reached to elevate the level of cooperation in firefighting and rescue between Korea and Vietnam, based on their comprehensive strategic partnership. It also aims to strengthen institutional and technological cooperation to safeguard the lives and safety of citizens in both countries.

Recently, Vietnam has been expanding its institutional framework for firefighting and rescue by revising related laws and regulations, shifting from a system focused solely on fire prevention and suppression to one that encompasses rescue, relief, and emergency response. In response, the National Fire Agency plans to support the advancement of Vietnam’s firefighting and rescue system by sharing Korea’s experience with the 119 emergency reporting and integrated command system, on-site firefighting and rescue response frameworks, advanced equipment operation, and training expertise.

The MOU covers the following key areas: ▲ exchange of information and experience regarding laws and national management related to firefighting, rescue, and emergency response; ▲ development of human resources and capacity building in these fields; ▲ sharing experience in the establishment, management, and operation of firefighting and rescue command and training centers; ▲ cooperation and development in the firefighting industry sector; and ▲ collaboration in firefighting, rescue, emergency response, and humanitarian support activities in the event of large-scale natural disasters.

With this agreement, the two agencies have decided to move beyond simple equipment support or one-off exchanges, and to establish a strategic cooperative relationship encompassing institutions, technology, education, and industry. To this end, they plan to expand information sharing and exchanges of experts in the prevention and response systems for complex and large-scale disasters—such as hazardous chemical accidents, fires in high-rise buildings, accidents at hazardous materials facilities, and nuclear incidents—as well as in fire investigation, forensics, and special disaster response.

Facilitating the entry of Korean firefighting industry into the Vietnamese market was also addressed as an important area of cooperation in this agreement. The National Fire Agency believes that the advanced equipment technology and extensive practical experience accumulated by Korea’s firefighting industry can make a substantial contribution to strengthening Vietnam’s disaster response capabilities. Accordingly, the agency will continue to discuss institutional and policy cooperation measures to support Korean firefighting companies’ entry into the Vietnamese market and expand technology exchanges.

Seungryong Kim, Commissioner of the National Fire Agency, stated, "As disasters are becoming more complex due to climate change and urbanization, disaster response is now a shared challenge that can no longer be solved by the experience of a single country alone. We will ensure that this MOU goes beyond formality and leads to practical cooperation that protects the safety of both nations’ citizens, and we will swiftly pursue follow-up discussions."

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