Lee pays respects to firefighter who died after Bucheon factory blaze

President Lee Jae-myung paid respects on October 17 to firefighter Kim Jin-seok (김진석), who died after battling a factory fire in Bucheon. At the funeral hall at Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital, Lee knelt before Kim's portrait to burn incense, observed a moment of silence and placed a posthumous service medal on the altar. He then offered condolences to the bereaved family, Yonhap and other outlets reported. [ 3 , 5 , 8 , 17 ]

Lee wrote in the visitors' book that the public would always remember Kim's sacrifice in protecting everyday safety. Chosun Ilbo and Hankook Ilbo, citing the presidential office, reported that he asked Kim's wife how old their daughter was and paused after hearing she was seven. The family asked him to help ensure that the child could grow up well, and he nodded in response, the outlets reported. [ 5 , 8 , 17 ]

Kim was among the first firefighters sent into a factory fire in Bucheon on October 16. Newsis reported that he became trapped as flames spread rapidly and was taken to hospital in cardiac arrest. He died at about 00:55 on October 17. Another firefighter in his forties was seriously injured, four other firefighters suffered heat exhaustion or minor injuries, and two factory personnel were taken to hospital after inhaling smoke. [ 7 , 8 ]

Lee promised to review safety measures so firefighters could work more safely and to address shortcomings, according to Seoul Economic Daily and Newsis. Hankook Ilbo reported that he directed the interior minister to provide support for an injured firefighter's treatment and recovery. Yonhap said the government would provide a one-rank posthumous promotion, the service medal and support for burial at a national cemetery. Kyunghyang Shinmun reported that police were investigating the fire's cause and circumstances, and that a funeral ceremony was scheduled for October 19 at 10 a.m. at Bucheon Gymnasium. [ 3 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 17 ]