Gyeonggi Province appoints first female fire chief in 34-year history

In a historic first for the Gyeonggi Provincial Fire and Disaster Headquarters, Huh Sun-kyung has been promoted to the rank of Fire Chief (Soseong), becoming the first woman to achieve this position in the organization's 34-year history. The promotion, announced on June 13, marks a significant milestone for female representation in the province's emergency services.

Gyeonggi Governor Kim Dong-yeon personally presented Huh with her appointment letter at the provincial government office. Huh has built a career within the Gyeonggi fire service, holding key positions and earning recognition for her expertise in fire prevention, disaster response, and organizational management. The Fire Chief rank is equivalent to a fire station chief, and there are 49 such positions in Gyeonggi Province.

Governor Kim emphasized that Huh's advancement was a testament to her professional capabilities and unwavering commitment to protecting the lives and safety of the province's residents. "Huh Sun-kyung's promotion is the result of expertise and responsibility built on the front lines, and dedication to protecting the lives and safety of our citizens, not gender," Kim stated. He expressed his hope that her achievement will serve as a beacon of hope and a challenge for future female firefighters.

Currently, approximately 1,700 women, making up about 15% of the total workforce, serve in the Gyeonggi fire department. They are active across various fields, including frontline operations, prevention, rescue, emergency medical services, and administration. The appointment ceremony also recognized other promotions, including Park Jeong-hoon to Fire Commissioner (Sojunggam) and Moon Choong-rak, Seo Eui-seok, Jo Jae-gwan, and Lee Yong-seok to Fire Chief (Soseong).

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Huh Sun-kyung's promotion is the result of expertise and responsibility built on the front lines, and dedication to protecting the lives and safety of our citizens, not gender.