무전기 살 돈도 없다더니..소방청장은 혈세로 '황제 출장?'[목포MBC 뉴스데스크]

[Mokpo MBC News] ◀ Anchor ▶ The National Fire Agency, which is responsible for the safety of not only the public but also firefighters, is facing a total internal crisis. While the Presidential Office is conducting an inspection of Fire Commissioner Kim Seung-ryong, allegations of abuse of power and frivolous overseas trips are also coming under fire. The labor union has demanded his dismissal, claiming that while the budget for walkie-talkies to field personnel is insufficient, the Commissioner himself went on pleasure trips using taxpayer money. Reporter Park Hye-jin covered the story. ◀ Report ▶ This is the National Fire Agency's social media screen. Nine promotional videos featuring Fire Commissioner Kim Seung-ryong prominently have been uploaded one after another. These are videos filmed recently in Indonesia and Vietnam. ◀ SYNC ▶ Fire Commissioner Kim Seung-ryong / Indonesia on the 13th "We have elite personnel and equipment ready, so I hope you will make good use of the National Fire Agency's channels." However, fierce controversy is brewing over this overseas business trip. [Translucent CG] Commissioner Kim, who returned from a business trip to Indonesia and Vietnam from the 12th to the 16th for a 4-night, 5-day itinerary. [CG] A delegation of 10 people was mobilized for this trip, including an executive secretary, an interpreter, and a video cameraman. The National Fire Agency explains that the trip was intended to expand exports of domestic firefighting equipment and strengthen cooperation for the protection of overseas citizens. [CG] However, contrary to the plan, the official schedule consisted entirely of a visit to the ASEAN Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance Coordination Centre and the signing of memorandums of understanding with the Indonesian Minister of Home Affairs and the Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Public Security. Suspicions have been raised that the rest of the itinerary was filled with dinners with local ambassadors and visits to shopping centers. Internal backlash is also growing as allegations of the private use of official vehicles and demands for special protocol have surfaced. [CG] The Korean Firefighters Union has called for the immediate dismissal of Commissioner Kim. *However,* "The criticism is that 'despite the critical situation where an investigation is underway following the deaths of two firefighters in the line of duty at the Wando fire, and despite the revelation of on-site command failures and manpower shortages, the Commissioner was obsessed with producing promotional videos to showcase his achievements, squandering taxpayer money while enjoying a 'VIP tour.'" The budget spent on this trip exceeds 30 million won. ◀ SYNC ▶ Fire Department Official/Voice altered "It can be used as an official business trip. The plan was for about 34 million won." ◀ st-up ▶ The controversy is escalating, particularly as it has been revealed that the firefighters who died in the line of duty during the Wando warehouse fire were deployed to the scene without even being provided with radios due to budget shortages. [PIP Photo] ◀ SYNC ▶ Kim Gil-jung / Chairman, Korean Firefighters Union "Whether the crew members have to use outdated equipment or lack radios due to a lack of budget, the fact that they went out of their way to sign unnecessary business agreements overseas at this time and spent personnel and budget on them is, frankly, the point of anger for the field staff." The union has decided to file a complaint against the Commissioner General of the National Fire Agency and others on charges of violating the Serious Accidents Punishment Act, holding them accountable for neglecting field personnel and failing to command. The Presidential Office announced that it has launched an inspection of Commissioner General Kim at the direction of President Lee Jae-myung, but did not disclose the specific reasons; Meanwhile, the National Fire Agency has also been unable to release any specific statement regarding the circumstances of the business trip. This is Park Hye-jin from MBC News. ◀ END ▶