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Fines for obstructing fire trucks to increase to maximum of 2 million won

Published: 31 Mar. 2026, 17:04

A fire truck pushes a vehicle during a demonstration of forced measures against cars obstructing emergency dispatches in Seodaemun District, western Seoul, on March 4. [YONHAP]

Fines for obstructing fire trucks responding to emergencies will increase to a maximum of 2 million won ($1,300), the National Fire Agency said on Tuesday.

An amendment to the Enforcement Decree of the Framework Act on Firefighting Services, which strengthens penalty standards for actions that hinder the rapid dispatch of fire trucks, was passed at a Cabinet meeting, according to the agency.

Until now, people were fined 1 million won regardless of how many times they committed the violation. Under the revised rules, authorities will impose 1 million won for an individual's first offense, 1.5 million won for the second and 2 million won for the third and any subsequent violations.

The revision aims to resolve inconsistencies between the law and its enforcement decree. Lawmakers raised the maximum fine to 2 million won in 2017, but the lower-level enforcement decree still capped fines at 1 million won.

The revised decree will take effect immediately after promulgation.

“Letting fire trucks pass is not just courtesy; it helps save lives,” National Fire Agency Commissioner Kim Seung-ryong said. “We hope this change will discourage repeat violations and help fire trucks reach emergency scenes more quickly.”

This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
BY KIM EUN-BIN [[email protected]]