Memorial Plaque Dedicated to Late Fire Lieutenant Kim Jinseok; 275 Honored on Firefighters Day

A memorial service was held to honor firefighters who tragically lost their lives protecting the lives and safety of the public.

Minister of the Interior and Safety Yoon Hojung delivers commemorative remarks at the 2026 Memorial Plaque Dedication Ceremony for Firefighters Who Died in the Line of Duty, held on the first floor of the National Fire Agency headquarters on the 9th. National Fire Agency

The National Fire Agency held the “2026 Memorial Plaque Dedication Ceremony for Firefighters Who Died in the Line of Duty” on November 9, Firefighters Day, in the memorial space for firefighters who died in the line of duty on the first floor of its headquarters.

Minister of the Interior and Safety Yoon Hojung, National Fire Agency Commissioner Choi Yongcheol, and other senior officials and staff attended the ceremony to honor the noble sacrifice of the late Fire Lieutenant Kim Jinseok. Kim died in the line of duty on October 17 while carrying out firefighting operations in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province.

The ceremony proceeded with a moment of silence, a report on the events leading up to the ceremony, commemorative remarks by the minister, and the dedication of the memorial plaque. Commissioner Choi placed Kim’s plaque in the memorial space, and Minister Yoon attached “Hwahong,” a sculpture symbolizing sacrifice and dedication, to the plaque.

Hwahong was made using retired fire hose nozzles and stainless steel, materials used in the field to protect the lives of firefighters and the public. Inspired by the red flowers symbolizing life in full bloom in artist Kim Byungjong’s signature work “Hwahong Sansu,” it embodies the value of life that never fades.

The National Fire Agency’s memorial space houses the memorial tablets of firefighters and volunteer firefighters who died while serving at disaster sites across the country since 1945. With this dedication, the total number of firefighters commemorated there has risen to 275.

“The Republic of Korea will never forget the sacrifices of each of the 275 people commemorated here, including the four who passed away this year,” Minister Yoon said. “We will work to ensure that firefighters who die in the line of duty receive the respect they deserve and that their bereaved families are supported, and do our utmost to protect safety in the field so that such tragic losses are not repeated.”

After the ceremony, Minister Yoon visited the National Fire Agency’s 119 Emergency Operations Center to inspect the nationwide disaster management system and encourage staff working around the clock on emergency duty.

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