Rep. Chung Chung-rae files bill for state to cover firefighter pay shortfall

Chung Chung-rae of the Democratic Party was lead sponsor of an amendment to the Act on Fire Service Financial Support and the Establishment of City and Provincial Fire Special Accounts. Korea Economic Daily reported that he filed it on the 21st, and Asia Economy said on the 22nd that he filed it the previous day. Newsis reported that Chung explained the purpose of the bill on his Facebook page on the 22nd. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]

The bill deletes transfers from city and provincial general accounts from the revenue of the fire special account's personnel cost account. Newsis reported that it has the state cover the shortfall beyond the fire safety grant and the regional resource facility tax. Chung said that six years after firefighters became national civil servants, local governments still bear 92% of personnel costs. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]

Newsis reported that Chung cited a National Assembly Research Service finding that total local fire personnel costs rose from 3.6967 trillion won in 2019 to 6.3632 trillion won last year. National funding fell from 565.7 billion won in 2021 to 547.6 billion won last year. Chung said the structure means treatment differs with each local government's fiscal independence. [ 2 ]

Korea Economic Daily said the fire funding issue arose on the 13th at the National Assembly Public Administration and Security Committee's audit of Gyeonggi Province, where Gyeonggi governor Choo Mi-ae said fire service is the "biggest headache fiscal straw". The paper said the context was that local governments struggle to bear fire budgets and need support. Criticism of the wording followed after a firefighter died in a factory fire in Bucheon. On the 21st, the Democratic Party issued warnings to Choo and to Rep. Boo Seung-chan (부승찬), who defended Choo's remarks at a later audit. [ 1 ]

Korea Economic Daily wrote that political circles interpret Chung's bill as flank support for Choo, noting that the nine co-sponsors include lawmakers classified as Chung allies. It said attention is on how divisions among Democratic Party supporters will develop. [ 1 ]

Asia Economy reported that Kim Jae-seop of the People Power Party has also filed an amendment, under which the national general account would cover the personnel costs left after the fire safety grant and regional resource facility tax portions. It said Democratic Party member Lee Eon-ju announced a plan to file a bill under which the state bears at least 80% of firefighter personnel costs. Democratic Party policy chief Kwon Chil-seung (권칠승) said stable financial footing is needed for the safety of citizens and firefighters. [ 3 ]

Democratic Party floor spokesperson Kim Seong-hoe said financial problems do not arise from a lack of law and that the party and government need to consult on budget distribution. Park Hong-keun, minister of Planning and Budget, said the effects of reduced grants and local finances should be reviewed comprehensively, with any supplement considered at the National Assembly's budget deliberation stage. Lee Sang-min of the Nara Budget Research Institute said local general funds should be increased rather than fire-specific funds. [ 3 ]