Seong Ho-seon, the 22nd chief of the North Gyeongsang Province fire department, inspects the disaster response system at the 119 integrated situation room on Wednesday. [North Gyeongsang Province Fire Department]
Seong Ho-seon, the 22nd chief of the North Gyeongsang Province fire department, inspects the disaster response system at the 119 integrated situation room on Wednesday. [North Gyeongsang Province Fire Department]

Seong Ho-seon, a fire commissioner, took office Wednesday as the 22nd chief of the North Gyeongsang Province fire department.

Rather than hold a formal inauguration ceremony, Seong began his official duties by visiting the department's 119 integrated situation room in Andong to review the province's disaster situation and fire response systems, and to encourage staff.

"North Gyeongsang Province covers a wide jurisdiction and faces diverse disaster environments, so it is crucial to further strengthen a field-centered response system," Seong said. "I will make resident safety and lives the top priority, and build a 119 service that is strong on the ground and trusted by the people of the province."

A native of Jinju, South Gyeongsang Province, Seong began his career in 1992 as a fire scholarship student appointed as a local fire sergeant at the Gumi Fire Station in North Gyeongsang Province. Over the following 34 years, he held a series of senior roles, including chief of Geochang Fire Station in South Gyeongsang Province, commander of the Yeongnam 119 Special Rescue Unit under the Central 119 Rescue Headquarters, principal of the Seoul Fire Academy, acting head of the Central 119 Rescue Headquarters, and chief of the South Chungcheong Province fire department.


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