President Lee honors fallen firefighter and calls for stronger safety support
President Lee Jae Myung paid tribute to firefighter Kim Jin-seok, who died fighting a blaze at a Bucheon metalworking plant, and pledged better support for firefighters.
During a Saturday ceremony, President Lee Jae Myung commemorated firefighter Kim Jin-seok, who succumbed to injuries sustained while battling a fire at a four-story metalworking factory in Bucheon, west of Seoul. Lee awarded Kim the Okjo Order of Service Merit posthumously and expressed condolences to his family. He emphasized that firefighters deserve recognition and support proportional to their sacrifice and called for stricter safety measures at emergency scenes.
Interior Minister Yoon Ho-jung, who accompanied Lee, was instructed to provide all necessary assistance for the treatment and recovery of the seven firefighters injured in the incident. Authorities reported the blaze likely began when an oil mist ignited during a metal-cleaning operation. The government also plans to arrange Kim’s burial at a national cemetery.
Why it matters
The incident highlights risks faced by firefighters and prompts calls for improved safety and support for emergency responders.
In this story
