The annual firefighters’ stair climb competition at Busan’s iconic LCT skyscraper (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
BUSAN, Aug. 12 (Korea Bizwire) – The annual firefighters’ stair climb competition at Busan’s iconic LCT skyscraper is poised to transform into an international event this October, as organizers open participation to contestants beyond South Korea’s borders.
The Busan Fire and Disaster Headquarters, which has hosted the event for domestic firefighters in previous years, announced on August 11 that it is working in conjunction with the National Fire Agency’s international cooperation team to invite foreign firefighters to participate.
According to officials, the National Fire Agency is currently in talks with fire departments from more than 10 countries, signaling a potential shift from a national competition to an international spectacle.
The LCT tower, standing at 411 meters with 100 floors, is Busan’s tallest building and the second tallest in South Korea. The stair climb event, which combines high-rise disaster response training with competitive spirit, requires participants to ascend 2,372 steps while wearing full firefighting gear and carrying equipment weighing approximately 20 kilograms.
In addition to international participants, the organizers are in discussions to include special entries from Busan’s 19 emergency response support agencies. These agencies, which collaborate during large-scale disasters, include police, military units, emergency medical centers, and gas and electrical safety corporations.
The competition, scheduled for October 30, has seen growing interest since its inception. Last year’s event drew 895 firefighters from across South Korea, a significant increase from the inaugural competition. In response to its rising popularity, the Busan City Council has increased the event’s budget for this year.
Organizers expect to have a clearer picture of the event’s scale, including the number of participants, by mid-September.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
