Buan County Council rejects marine rescue team support ordinance

The Buan County Council has rejected a proposed ordinance to provide financial support for marine disaster rescue teams. The decision was made by the Industrial, Construction, and Administrative Committee on the 8th, citing concerns over the county’s strained financial situation and the potential burden of local debt.

Critics have pointed out a discrepancy in how safety-related organizations are funded. While the marine rescue teams were denied support, the county continues to provide significant annual funding to other private safety groups. For instance, the Autonomous Crime Prevention Corps is slated to receive over 135 million won in 2026, and the Volunteer Fire Brigade and Local Autonomous Disaster Prevention Corps receive tens of millions of won annually.

Marine disaster rescue teams, primarily composed of local fishermen, play a critical role in initial response efforts, often arriving at maritime accident scenes faster than the Korea Coast Guard. Despite their importance in preventing large-scale casualties during sea fires or distress calls, their request for operational support was sidelined in favor of fiscal austerity.