President Lee Pays Respects to Firefighter Killed in Bucheon Fire: "The People Will Forever Remember Your Sacrifice"

President Lee pays his respects at the funeral altar of late Fire Lieutenant Kim Jinseok
Family pleads, "Please make sure our daughter can grow up well"
He nods, offering words of comfort and expressing his sympathy

President Lee Jaemyung visited the funeral altar of Fire Lieutenant Kim Jinseok, who died in the line of duty while fighting a fire at a factory in Bucheon on the 17th, and paid his respects. He offered words of comfort to the bereaved family and wished the injured firefighter a speedy recovery.

At around 6 p.m. that day, President Lee visited the funeral hall at Soonchunhyang University Hospital in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, where Kim's funeral altar had been set up, to pay tribute to the fallen firefighter. He was accompanied by Interior and Safety Minister Yoon Hojung, Fire Agency Commissioner Choi Yongcheol, Presidential Chief of Staff Lim Gwanghyun, and Senior Presidential Spokesperson Kang Yujeong.

President Lee Jae-myung pays his respects at the funeral altar of the late Fire Lieutenant Kim Jin-seok, who died in the line of duty at the scene of a factory fire in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, on the 17th. Oct. 17, 2026. Yonhap News Agency

Upon arriving at the entrance to the funeral altar, President Lee wrote in the guestbook: "The people will forever remember your sacrifice, in the safe daily lives you helped protect."

President Lee then put on white gloves, entered the funeral hall, knelt to offer incense, stood and observed a moment of silence. He then received the Order of Service Merit, Okjo Class, from a Fire Agency protocol officer, placed it on the platform in front of the portrait, and offered his condolences to the bereaved family.

According to Senior Spokesperson Kang, President Lee listened to the deceased's wife and spent a long time mourning. He asked how old the deceased's daughter was. When told she was seven, he fell silent for a while, his face heavy with emotion.

Outside the funeral hall, President Lee asked the deceased's father, who had been waiting there, whether Kim had been his only son. After pausing for a while, he offered words of comfort. When the bereaved family expressed concern for their remaining family members, saying, "Please make sure our daughter can grow up well," President Lee nodded deeply and expressed his sympathy.

After paying his respects, President Lee wished a speedy recovery to the firefighter who was injured at the same fire and is undergoing treatment. He instructed Interior and Safety Minister Yoon Hojung to provide all necessary support for the firefighter's treatment and recovery.

A message left in the condolence book by President Lee Jaemyung, who paid his respects on Oct. 17 at the funeral home of the late Fire Lieutenant Kim Jinseok, who died in the line of duty at a factory fire in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province. Yonhap News, Oct. 17, 2026.

Earlier that morning, President Lee posted on X, formerly Twitter: "I am devastated by the news that a firefighter died in the line of duty at the fire in Bucheon. I offer my deepest condolences to the deceased."

President Lee pledged, "The safety of firefighters who protect the public is a responsibility the state must uphold. The government will thoroughly review safety measures and address any shortcomings so that firefighters in the field can carry out their duties more safely."

He also promised, "I will carefully ensure that firefighters who dedicate themselves to the public receive the respect and treatment they deserve for their sacrifices and hard work."

President Lee said, "I extend my deepest condolences to the bereaved family, who have lost a loved one. I also offer my heartfelt comfort to the fellow firefighters who are sharing in this grief."

According to fire authorities, a major fire broke out at a metal injection printing factory in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, on the morning of the 16th, leaving two firefighters who were fighting the blaze seriously injured. One of them was taken to hospital in cardiac arrest and died at 12:55 a.m. on the 17th.

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