Firefighter rushed into inferno 20 minutes before clocking off ... Fire Lieutenant Kim Jin-seok’s funeral to be held on the 19th

[Financial News] With just over 20 minutes left before the end of his shift, the firefighter rushed to the scene of the fire but never made it back to his family. The funeral for the late Fire Lieutenant Kim Jin-seok, who died in the line of duty after being the first to arrive at a factory fire in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, and taking part in firefighting efforts, will be held at 9:30 a.m. on the 19th at Bucheon Gymnasium as a Gyeonggi Provincial Government funeral. He leaves behind his wife and six-year-old daughter, who is due to start elementary school next year.
According to the National Fire Agency and Gyeonggi Province on the 18th, Gyeonggi Governor Choo Mi-ae will attend Lieutenant Kim’s funeral. As a result, the National Assembly Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee’s audit of Gyeonggi Province, scheduled for 10 a.m. that day, has also been postponed until 1 p.m. Gyeonggi Province said it adjusted the schedule in consultation with the committee.
Gyeonggi Province formed a funeral committee of about 20 members, chaired by Governor Choo, to honor Lieutenant Kim’s sacrifice and pay him every respect on his final journey. After the funeral, he is expected to be buried at Seoul National Cemetery. Gyeonggi Province is also pursuing administrative procedures to have him designated as a person of distinguished service to the state.
Earlier, at around 6:15 p.m. on the 17th, President Lee Jae-myung visited Lieutenant Kim’s funeral hall at Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital. In the condolence book, Lee wrote, “The people will forever remember your sacrifice as they go about the safe daily lives you protected.” He then knelt before the portrait, offered incense and observed a moment of silence. He placed the posthumously awarded Okjo Medal of the Order of Service Merit before the portrait and also offered his condolences to the bereaved family.
Lieutenant Kim, an 11-year veteran firefighter, had completed a 24-hour shift and was due to finish work at 9 a.m. on the 16th when a fire broke out at around 8:38 a.m. at a factory in Nae-dong, Ojeong-gu, Bucheon. But as soon as the fire report came in, he headed out to the scene.
Lieutenant Kim was the first to arrive at the scene and entered the building’s third floor with three colleagues. As the flames suddenly spread during firefighting efforts, he and one colleague became trapped inside the building. The colleague was rescued, but Lieutenant Kim was found in cardiac arrest about five meters farther inside. He was taken to hospital and treated, but died at around 12:55 a.m. on the 17th.
Lieutenant Kim received an award for exemplary firefighting service last year. A letter his six-year-old daughter wrote to her father was also made public. She wrote, “Dad passed away yesterday, but I miss him so much even now. We’re at the funeral hall right now.” She continued, “I know that Dad loved me the most,” and wrote, “I miss you, Dad. Let’s make sure we meet again someday. By then, I’ll probably be all grown up.”
At the end of the letter was the message, “I love you. Dad, I miss you. I love you.” Next to the letter was a drawing of a fire truck, accompanied by the word “Responding.”
One firefighter who entered the building with Lieutenant Kim was seriously injured in the fire. Four other firefighters showed symptoms of heat exhaustion, while two factory employees were taken to hospital after inhaling smoke.
The National Fire Agency said, “We pay deep tribute to the dedication of the late Fire Lieutenant Kim Jin-seok, who fulfilled his duty to the very end at a dangerous scene to protect the lives and safety of the public,” adding, “We will do our utmost to ensure he is accorded due respect and to carry out the funeral arrangements.”
[email protected] Lee Bo-mi Reporter