Exclusive The head of the fire department's suspicious business trip abroad...Educational expenses increase after receiving invitations

[Anchor]
Sejong Fire Headquarters, who is about to retire, is scheduled to go on a business trip to Australia from tomorrow (1st), sparking controversy.

The Sejong Fire Department said it was invited by an educational institution, but it was unclear during the budget execution process.

Reporter Lee Sang-gon's exclusive report.

[Reporter]
Nine firefighters from the Sejong Fire Department, selected through the selection process, will leave for Australia for 7 nights and 9 days.

To cope with special disasters and strengthen rescue capabilities, we are trained at a fire education institution recognized by the Australian government and look at advanced equipment from local fire departments.

However, controversy is brewing over the sudden decision to accompany Jang Dae-han, the head of the Sejong Fire Department, who is about to retire from the retirement age at the end of December.

The purpose of the visit was to establish a close cooperation system, but only about 20 days after a business trip, he will become a civilian.

[Mr. A / Sejong Fire official: It is much better for the development of the organization to focus on young employees who can continue to work and contribute.... It's true that you don't understand well that you're going to observe overseas training in the month of retirement. It's not normal....]

The Sejong Fire Department said that Jang's airfare, food and lodging expenses will be supported by the invitation of an Australian educational institution.

However, after the invitation of Australian educational institutions, it has been confirmed that the budget spent on training has increased significantly.

The Sejong Fire Department's overseas training plan states that the education cost is 37.8 million won.

However, the education cost of the official document prepared by the Sejong Fire Department before receiving the invitation was 25 million won.

It's an increase of 12.8 million won in a month.

Compared to last year's training plan, which involved more people, this year's education cost is 6.3 million won more.

[Lee Hyun-jung / Vice Chairman of Sejong City Council's Education Safety Committee: It seems that it is not being executed transparently, so we need to look at it for several years. Have you ever had this before....]I visited the fire department head of

, but I couldn't hear an explanation.

[Jang Dae-han / Sejong Fire Department Head: Let's do it next time. (Is there a reason why you have to go?) .... (Do you think it's right to leave when you're retiring?) ....]When Sejong Mayor Choi Min-ho went on a fast last month, the head of the fire department,

, ordered firefighters to visit him, and the police are investigating whether he is suspected of abusing his authority.

I'm YTN's Lee Sanggon.