President Lee Tours Daejeon Fire Site: "It's All Melted"... Orders Advance Support for Bereaved Families (Comprehensive)

Orders for On-Site Managers and Regular Briefings for Bereaved Families

Emphasizes to Fire Authorities: "Take thorough measures to prevent secondary accidents"

Tells Bereaved Families: "I will give you the Chief of Staff's number, so please

On March 21, President Lee Jaemyung visited the site of the Anjeon Industrial fire disaster in Daedeok-gu, Daejeon, to inspect the extent of the damage and overall rescue operations, and to offer condolences to the bereaved families. After listening directly to the requests of the families, President Lee instructed that an on-site official be designated and remain present, and that regular briefings be provided to the families. He also ordered, "Even if the government bears losses, if necessary, provide advance payments of support funds to the bereaved families and then consider seeking compensation from the relevant agencies." On the afternoon of the same day, three more missing persons were recovered, raising the death toll to 14.

Yonhap News Agency

President Lee arrived at the site at approximately 3:05 p.m., where he shook hands with firefighters and paramedics waiting in front of fire trucks and ambulances. He then stood in front of the situation board installed at the scene and received a briefing from the head of the National Emergency Response Control Center of the National Fire Agency regarding the status of casualties, medical aid for the rescued, and the progress of the search for the missing. He conducted a detailed inspection of the fire's point of origin, the scale of deployed personnel, and the progress of the search and rescue operations.

Afterward, President Lee moved to the collapsed section, shook hands again with members of the Daedeok Fire Station, and listened to further explanations about the search operations. The head of the National Emergency Response Control Center reported again to President Lee on the casualties, the extent of the damage, and the medical support being provided to the rescued, as well as the ongoing search for missing persons. He explained that the damage was especially severe because workers had gathered in one area during lunchtime, and that the sandwich panel construction contributed to the rapid spread of the fire.

At the site, President Lee looked at the collapsed building's outer wall and remarked, "It's all melted." He confirmed the number of missing persons and staff on duty, asking, "How many people were working at the time?" After checking the reasons for the rapid spread of the fire and the support situation for the victims' families, he urged, "Given the risk of the factory building collapsing, please ensure that secondary accidents do not occur."

Offering Condolences to the Bereaved Families... Orders On-site Officials to Be Stationed and Regular Briefings for Families

Yonhap News Agency

President Lee then met with the bereaved and other affected families, holding their hands and conveying his condolences. The families requested a prompt and detailed explanation of the accident's circumstances, reduction of the time required for identification, and the establishment of a memorial altar at Daejeon City Hall. President Lee listened attentively and noted all their requests in his notebook, then directed the head of the Disaster and Safety Management Headquarters of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety to take full responsibility for on-site management until the situation is stabilized.

President Lee also instructed relevant agencies, including the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the Ministry of Employment and Labor, and the National Fire Agency, to designate an on-site official to remain present and to provide regular detailed briefings to the bereaved regarding the cause of the accident and the progress of rescue operations. He directed that a plan be considered for allowing one or two bereaved family members to attend the joint investigation being conducted by the police and the Ministry of Employment and Labor—provided this does not compromise security.

Before leaving the site, when one family member asked for continued attention until the incident is fully resolved, President Lee responded, "I will give you the chief of staff's phone number, so please contact us if there is anything insufficient." Afterwards, President Lee moved to Eulji Hospital, where four injured people are hospitalized, received a report on their condition from medical staff, and visited their rooms to wish them a speedy recovery and return to normal life.

Three More Missing Persons Recovered, Death Toll Rises to 14... 59 Injured

Yonhap News Agency

The previous day (March 20), immediately after receiving a report of the factory fire in Daedeok-gu, Daejeon, President Lee ordered, "Mobilize all available resources, including equipment and manpower, for immediate accident response and rescue," and stressed, "Make every effort not only for swift rescue of lives but also for the safety of rescue personnel." He also announced via social media that the government would closely monitor the situation and swiftly implement necessary support and follow-up measures.

The fire broke out at 1:17 p.m. the previous day at an automobile parts manufacturing factory in Munpyeong-dong, Daedeok-gu, Daejeon. The fire authorities issued Level 2 response and the national fire mobilization order in succession, launching suppression and rescue operations. During the overnight search, 11 missing persons were found deceased, and after President Lee's visit to the site, three more missing persons were recovered, bringing the current death toll to 14.

Most of the victims were found inside the second and third floors of the factory. The authorities have begun a thorough investigation into the exact cause of the fire, including the ignition point, the path of the fire's spread, and whether there were any structural changes to the building. Of the injured, 59 people have been reported, including two firefighters injured during the response.

The government is operating a pan-government emergency management system. Prime Minister Kim Minseok visited the site late on March 20 and again in the early morning of March 21 to check the progress of the search. Minister of the Interior and Safety Yoon Hojoong convened a meeting of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, ordering the establishment of a Central Joint Disaster Victim Support Center and the implementation of support measures for each victim. The Ministry of Employment and Labor also set up a task force to provide support to the bereaved families, handle industrial accident compensation, and manage trauma care.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.