The National Fire Agency is launching a sweeping inspection of the entire organization. The move aims to eradicate abusive workplace practices such as power abuse and bullying, and to foster a healthy organizational culture.
The National Fire Agency said Saturday that it will operate a "Special Inspection Unit under the Organizational Culture Innovation Task Force (TF)" from the 7th of this month through September 30. The special inspection unit was formed in response to the death of a female firefighter who worked at a fire station in Gwangju last October, after she complained of workplace bullying. At the time, an inspection of the Gwangju Fire Station by the Office for Government Policy Coordination confirmed evidence of systematic misconduct, including coercion to drink alcohol, late-night dinner gatherings, disregard of the bereaved family's request for an inspection, and the exposure of the victim's psychological counseling records.
Through the special inspection unit, the National Fire Agency plans to go beyond a simple internal review to directly investigate irregularities within the organization, and to take stern measures if illegal or improper conduct is confirmed. To this end, it will operate an intensive reporting period for firefighting officials nationwide during the month of July. Through an anonymous reporting system, members will be able to report unfair practices and inhumane treatment with peace of mind. The investigation will cover the full range of organizational-culture misconduct received, including power abuse and workplace bullying.
The special inspection unit is headed by the audit officer and operates in three teams: a coordination team, an investigation team, and a legal support team. The investigation team will conduct field inspections divided into four regions—the metropolitan area, the central region, Yeongnam, and Honam—and will inspect through a cross-checking method between cities and provinces to prevent regionalism and leniency. If necessary, the National Fire Agency's audit division plans to conduct additional investigations directly. The legal support team is composed of individuals with attorney qualifications, and will provide interpretation of relevant laws and legal reviews needed during the investigation process.
Choi Yong-chul, acting commissioner of the National Fire Agency, said, "Improving organizational culture cannot be completed through declarations or campaigns alone; it must be followed by practical measures that identify and correct wrong practices at the actual field level." He added, "We will take stern measures without exception against irregularities such as power abuse, and we will continue rigorous inspection and improvement to build a firefighting organization in which all members are respected."
