# President Lee Pledges Expanded Firefighter Recruitment and Safety Investment Government aims to integrate AI and drone technology to combat evolving disaster risks. - **Source:** [The Korea Times – All](https://www.koreatimes.co.kr) - **Published:** 2026-11-09 - **Topic:** [politics](https://brifing.si/c/politics) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/fb890a46-2588-49b0-80c2-b69b046621ee ## Strategic Workforce Expansion President Lee Jae Myung announced a commitment to increase the national firefighting workforce during the 64th Day of Firefighting ceremony in Sejong. This initiative aims to bolster emergency response capabilities across the country. The government intends to address growing disaster risks by strengthening the existing command system and hiring additional personnel. ## Climate Crisis Challenges The president highlighted that the ongoing climate crisis is significantly increasing both the diversity and scale of natural disasters. These environmental shifts make emergency operations more complex and difficult for responders to manage effectively. Lee emphasized that proactive preparation is essential to protect citizens' lives and ensure long-term public safety. ## Technological Integration Plans A core component of the new investment strategy involves integrating artificial intelligence and drone technology into rescue operations. These advanced tools will be utilized to identify potential risk factors before they escalate into major crises. The government plans to deploy these cutting-edge systems to handle dangerous tasks during emergency response efforts. ## Modernizing Rescue Operations By utilizing drones for high-risk rescue missions, the government aims to reduce direct threats to human firefighters. This technological shift represents a systematic approach to modernizing disaster management protocols. The investment will focus on enabling faster and more precise interventions, ensuring that rescue teams remain ahead of rapidly evolving disaster scenarios. ## Ceremonial Context and Recognition The announcement occurred during a formal event attended by government officials, active firefighters, and the families of those who died in the line of duty. This setting underscored the administration's focus on honoring past sacrifices while addressing future operational needs. The event served as a platform to outline specific safety policy goals. ## Proactive Disaster Management Lee Jae Myung argued that staying a step ahead of environmental changes is the primary method for ensuring national safety. The administration views the current disaster landscape as requiring a fundamental upgrade in both human resources and technical equipment. This policy shift reflects a broader governmental focus on disaster resilience and preparedness. ## Systematic Command Improvements Beyond hiring and technology, the government plans to refine the command structure to ensure a more systematic response to emergencies. Improving coordination between different units is expected to enhance overall efficiency during large-scale incidents. These structural changes are intended to support the new personnel and equipment being introduced into the field. ## Long-term Safety Implications The commitment to increased investment signals a long-term shift toward a more tech-driven public safety infrastructure. By combining human expertise with AI-powered drones, the government hopes to mitigate the rising complexities of modern disasters. The success of these initiatives will depend on the effective implementation of these new resources nationwide. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/southkorea/politics/20261109/lee-vows-to-hire-more-firefighters-expand-investment-to-ensure-public-safety?utm_source=rss — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._