South Korea's ruling party and government are considering providing 2 trillion won in state financial support for urgent and essential fire service investments, according to 연합뉴스TV. The two sides also discussed ways to reduce the financial burden this places on local governments, the broadcaster reported on Sunday.
The funding would be drawn through the Future Response Fund, according to 국제신문, which quoted 임광현 as saying the government would work closely with the National Assembly to secure fire service resources. The same plan drew criticism from the main opposition People Power Party, which 연합뉴스 reported described the move as an attempt to distract from controversial remarks by 추 (Choo).
The announcements came as the ruling party and government held a high-level policy consultation meeting, 뉴시스 reported, publishing a photo of the participants.
The reports did not specify which fire service programs the money would cover, how the support would be divided between the central and local governments, or when a final decision would be made.
What to watch next: whether the National Assembly takes up the Future Response Fund proposal and whether the two sides agree on a formula for sharing costs with local governments.
