Abstract
Before modern fire disaster response system was introduced and properly implemented, urban fires were one of the most frequent and dramatic natural disasters pre-modern Korean society had to deal with. Not only because flames could spread very easily and were hard to extinguish without adequate firefighting equipment, technique and proper emergency management, but also because the secondary impacts of fire disasters could lead to a serious disruption of functioning of a community or society in general and result, among others, in significant human, economic, cultural and environmental damage.
The occurrence of destructive disasters tended to be perceived by old Korean society as an ominous or warning sign from the heavens and it was none other than the king who was often deemed responsible for such unfortunate events and was expected to come up with suitable countermeasures. Although various disaster warding rituals were seemingly a common practice, it was naturally desirable to deal with urban fires with a more realistic approach.
The decisive moment for reevaluation of the approach towards fire disaster management is generally believed to be the year 1426, when a great fire burnt down a major part of the capital city of Hansŏng 漢城. Following this great fire, presumably the first government-organized firefighting institution in the history of Korea, called Kŭmhwadogam 禁火都監, was established.
In my presentation I intend to address the topic of fire disasters perception and response system in the 15th century Chosŏn kingdom Korea, focusing particularly on the area of the capital city of Hansŏng and the institution of Kŭmhwadogam, exploring the historical circumstances that led to its establishment and further examining its structure, level of importance and development process until the end of the 15th century.