Photo News Farewell Ceremony for Late Firefighter Kim Jin-seok, Killed in Bucheon Factory Fire…Held with Tears

A farewell ceremony for late Firefighter Kim Jin-seok of Bucheon Fire Station, who died in the line of duty while fighting the flames at a factory fire in Bucheon, was held with full honors on the morning of the 19th at Bucheon Sports Complex in Gyeonggi Province, presided over by the Gyeonggi Province (Provincial Funeral).

The farewell ceremony was attended by the bereaved family, fellow firefighters, Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Mi-ae, and figures from various sectors who bid final farewell to the deceased.

Governor Choo Mi-ae, who served as the funeral committee chair, paid tribute to the deceased at the funeral service, saying, "I am deeply sorry that we could not ultimately protect the firefighter who rushed to the dangerous scene. I will do my utmost to improve working conditions and equipment to protect the lives and safety of firefighters." Park Jun-sung, a firefighter from Bucheon Fire Station who read the eulogy on behalf of colleagues, wept as he said, "I hope he can rest peacefully, free from heavy equipment and the tension of emergency dispatches."

The government and Gyeonggi Province honored the deceased's noble spirit of sacrifice by awarding him a special promotion of one rank (from Firefighter Captain to Firefighter Lieutenant) and posthumously bestowing the Order of Service Merit with Gold Ribbon.

After the farewell ceremony, the deceased will pass through his former workplace, Bucheon Fire Station, be cremated, and subsequently be interred at Seoul National Cemetery.