Between 2016 and 2018, there were 581 cases of physical assault against paramedics. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Oct. 8 (Korea Bizwire) — The National Fire Agency (NFA) plans to submit a legislation bill that will impose stronger punishment on those assaulting paramedics and include a new provision to also punish verbal assaults.
The new bill aims to create a safer and healthier working environment for firefighters, which will allow them to better protect the safety of the citizens.
Between 2016 and 2018, there were 581 cases of physical assault against paramedics, which is an act punishable by a maximum of five years in prison or 50 million won (US$42,000) in fines.
In most cases, however, the cases were either dropped by the prosecution, or the assailants were forced to pay a fine. In verbal assault cases, they were exempted from punishment.
In response, the NFA decided to submit a bill that will amend relevant legislation to impose stronger punishment on physical assault as well as verbal assaults.
The agency will also ask the Sentencing Commission at the Supreme Court to deem such criminal acts against paramedics as an obstruction of performance of official duties.
The agency will ask to replace the ‘rescue’ category listed in the sentencing standard for obstruction of performance of official duties with ‘rescue and relief’.
The NFA also plans to establish a firefighter’s general medical center to treat and relieve firefighters who are constantly exposed to shock, trauma, and other hazardous factors on-site.
H. M. Kang (hmkang@koreabizwire.com)
