# South Korean fire service funding dispute > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/south-korean-fire-service-funding-dispute > Updated: 2026-10-23T02:14:54.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2. South Korean lawmakers and labor unions are advocating for a restructuring of fire service finances to address significant funding disparities between provinces. Although firefighters transitioned to national status six years ago, local governments currently bear approximately 89.3% of the total fire service budget and over 91% of personnel costs. Lawmakers have proposed legislation to mandate that the central government cover at least 80% of personnel costs to prevent gaps in equipment quality and safety services. In response to these concerns, the Minister of Planning and Budget, Park Hong-geun, announced that the government is reviewing ways to ensure a stable budget. This review includes considering immediate budget allocations for the upcoming year and long-term institutional reforms. The situation is complicated by a projected 27.6% decrease in the firefighting safety grant tax, which is funded by tobacco consumption, alongside rising personnel costs that now account for 76% of the total budget. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-23: South Korean Minister seeks stable firefighting budget solutions South Korean Budget Minister Park Hong-geun is reviewing structural reforms to stabilize firefighting funds following a projected 27.6% drop in tobacco-based safety grants. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-korean-minister-seeks-stable-firefighting-budget-solutions ### 2026-10-20: South Korean lawmakers push for increased national funding for firefighters South Korean lawmakers are proposing legislation to mandate that the central government cover 80% of firefighter personnel costs to resolve regional safety disparities and financial burdens on local governments 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-korean-firefighters-face-budget-gaps-despite-national-status --- Cite as: South Korean fire service funding dispute. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/south-korean-fire-service-funding-dispute