The Civil Committee for Climate Crisis and Disaster Response held a discussion session at the National Assembly Hall on February 6 under the theme of ‘Direction and tasks of disaster and safety policy of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration.’

At the seminar, which was co-hosted with the office of Rep. Kim Hak-yong of the People Power Party and the Korea Safety Policy Society, the main topic was the establishment of legal protection measures for civil servants at frontline disaster sites. According to the Disaster and Safety Act, those who faithfully perform disaster management duties can be exempted from liability. However, despite the exemption decision, many pointed out that the effectiveness of the exemption was reduced due to separate audits by the Board of Audit and Inspection and civil and criminal liability.

Seok Jae-wang, chairman of the Civilian Climate Crisis and Disaster Response Committee, pointed out that for this reason, public officials do not take active action when disasters occur for fear of civil and criminal punishment. He emphasized, “Unless there is gross negligence or illegality, public officials should not be punished like in developed countries.”

Even in Korea, if there is no intent or gross negligence in the performance of duties by police officers, firefighters, or emergency medical workers, there are provisions for reduction or exemption from criminal liability, regardless of the result.
 

Chairman Seok evaluated that “the current government’s disaster and safety policy has effectively responded to various crises through the development of 4th industry technology, collaboration with the private and local governments, and disaster system innovation,” and added, “It has minimized social division caused by disaster conflicts and He emphasized the need for communication and revision of disaster-related laws that meet the public's expectations to prevent confusion at disaster sites.

Lee Yong-rae, a member of the People Power Life Safety Support Special Committee, ordered, “Building a safe society should be the top priority,” and Park Hyun-seok, president of the Korea Fire Equipment Association, emphasized “improving systems for fire prevention and establishing a safety culture.”

Attending the seminar on this day were Jeong-hwan Jeon, CEO of Dwelling, Young-jin Cho, CEO of Rozetatech, Wook Kim, head of Elmoldtech Research Institute, and Jong-gap Kim, CEO of Global Digital Innovation Network.

https://n.news.naver.com/article/024/0000087340?sid=102