Acting National Fire Agency Commissioner Kim Seung-ryong said, "We will actively support the 'K-fire industry' in gaining global competitiveness through field-centered technology development and state-led support for overseas expansion."
At a briefing with National Fire Agency reporters on the 30th, Acting Commissioner Kim stated accordingly, saying, "The fire industry is a core industry that protects the lives and safety of the public and a future industry with high growth potential in the global market."
The National Fire Agency presented a blueprint to expand the development and distribution of advanced, high-performance firefighting equipment based on cooperation among industry, academia, research and the private sector. The National Fire Agency plans to increase the budget for research and development (R&D) projects from 30.5 billion won this year to 50.4 billion won in 2026 and to designate innovative products to support the practical use of new technologies. It will also gradually improve complex verification and certification systems to ease the burden on corporations.
As a representative example of advanced, high-performance equipment, an unmanned firefighting robot will go into pilot operation starting in the first half of 2026. ▲ Composite indoor location-tracking technology for firefighters ▲ lightweight fire helmets ▲ facepiece display-type thermal imaging cameras are also under development.
The National Fire Agency is also forming a defense–fire R&D technology council to apply advanced technologies from the defense sector to the firefighting sector. It is modifying and developing unmanned surface vessels and strength-enhancing exosuits to suit firefighting environments. It also plans to rapidly develop a composite communications system that can be used even during communications disruptions.
The National Fire Agency said it will continue a virtuous cycle in which it donates outdated or replaced firefighting equipment free of charge to developing countries to implant Korea's firefighting system locally and turn that into overseas export opportunities for domestic firefighting corporations.
So far, it has donated 1,129 outdated or replacement fire trucks to a total of 31 countries free of charge. Leveraging this, it achieved export results worth about 719.6 billion won for items such as fire trucks and firefighting helicopters, according to the National Fire Agency.
The National Fire Agency will also promote its artificial intelligence (AI)-based information systems, special fire trucks and personal protective equipment directly in the field through training programs and will continuously expand the list of training partner countries to emerging markets in Asia and the Middle East.
It will also pursue a strategy of using the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA)'s trade offices as "local branches." The strategy is aimed at supporting small and midsize firefighting corporations in obtaining overseas certifications and patents.
Acting Commissioner Kim said, "We will build a firefighting industry ecosystem where technological innovation and export growth form a virtuous cycle, leading the sustainable growth of domestic firefighting corporations."