Indonesia and South Korea Explore Enhanced Cooperation in Fire Management
Jakarta, The Gulf Observer: The Directorate General of Regional Administration Development of Indonesia’s Ministry of Home Affairs has partnered with South Korea to explore new opportunities for cooperation in fire management and rescue operations. This collaboration aims to leverage South Korea’s advanced fire management technologies and expertise to enhance Indonesia’s fire response capabilities.
“South Korea, as the industrial hub of Asia with world-class firefighting research and development institutions, is a pioneer in modern fire management and a key partner for Indonesia,” stated Amran, Acting Director General of Regional Administration Development, in an official statement on Monday.
Amran led a delegation to South Korea from May 19 to May 24, during which they engaged with various government and non-government stakeholders, including the Indonesian Embassy in Seoul, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the National Fire Agency, and several regional fire departments such as Daegu, Sejong, and Gyeonggi. They also visited the Korea Fire Institute (KFI) and attended the 2024 Fire Expo.
In discussions with representatives from the South Korean Ministry of Interior and Safety, Amran emphasized the importance of expanding bilateral cooperation in fire management. He highlighted the need to strengthen infrastructure and enhance human resources to achieve a response time of 15 minutes for fire incidents.
Given the increasing prevalence of electric vehicles (EVs) and the associated fire risks, Indonesia stands to benefit significantly from South Korea’s technological advancements in fire infrastructure. Amran noted that these advancements could greatly assist Indonesia in improving its fire management capabilities.
Seonho Cho, Chief of the Gyeonggi Fire and Disaster Headquarters, expressed optimism about the potential for deepened cooperation between the two nations. “South Korea also needs training and insights from Indonesia, particularly in handling major disasters such as earthquakes and tsunamis,” Cho remarked.
This visit follows the South Korean delegation’s participation in the 105th Firefighters Anniversary series hosted by Indonesia’s Ministry of Home Affairs in Surabaya, East Java, on March 1, 2024. The continued exchange of expertise and best practices between the two countries is expected to significantly enhance their respective disaster management and fire response systems.
