Lee Jae-myung "In tribute to the noble sacrifice of the late Fire Captain Kim Dong-sik"

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Park No-hun] Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung has left a tribute eulogy for the late Fire Captain Kim Dong-sik, who died in the line of duty at the Icheon Coupang Logistics Center fire site.

On June 21st, Governor Lee expressed through SNS, "First, I extend my deepest condolences to the bereaved family saying farewell to the deceased and to all members of the fire service family grieving the loss of a colleague. I truly hoped for a miracle. I hoped for a safe return, even if it were just a thread of hope. I hoped to see that soot-covered face again, brushing off the smoke-blackened clothes as if nothing had happened, wiping the sweat from the face," conveying his deep regret.

He continued the entire tribute with both mourning and remembrance.

The governor concluded, "I pray that Fire Captain Kim Dong-sik, our eternal colleague and exemplar of the fire service, finds eternal rest with the sincere love and respect of his family, colleagues, Gyeonggi Province residents, and our citizens. May he rest in peace."

The following is the full text of Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung's SNS post.

<In tribute to the noble sacrifice of the late Fire Captain Kim Dong-sik>
First, I extend my deepest condolences to the bereaved family saying farewell to the deceased and to all members of the fire service family grieving the loss of a colleague.
I truly hoped. I hoped for a miracle to occur. I hoped for a safe return, even if it were just a thread of hope. I hoped to see that soot-covered face again, brushing off the smoke-blackened clothes as if nothing had happened, wiping the sweat from the face.
The late Fire Captain Kim Dong-sik. We remember him.
As a person who took on difficult work and led by example, becoming an inspiration to all; as a person who always guarded the hottest and most dangerous places; as a person who entered the scene first to open the way, and left last.
Even in that urgent moment, he unfailingly sent his colleagues out first. We did not know it would come to such a final farewell. We earnestly and repeatedly prayed for his safe return, but the fact that he has left us is still hard to believe.
In daily life, he was warm and compassionate, but at the scene, he was exceptionally strict. Whenever arriving at a disaster site, he always made a careful inspection of the surroundings first. We all knew it was to ensure that neither residents nor any fellow firefighters would be hurt. That is why our hearts ache even more.
I extend my deepest condolences once again to the bereaved family, who must be suffering more than anyone. How can I fully comprehend the feelings of the family who received such shocking news as if struck by lightning from a clear sky? While we cannot fill the void left by the deceased, we will remain with the bereaved family to the end so that they may rise again from their grief.
Dear members of the fire service family, I dare to understand the heartbreaking feeling of sending a colleague who stood with us. Though it must be difficult, I hope you will gather strength. Please do not forget that 13.8 million Gyeonggi residents stand with you in heart, in deep support.
I also urge the political community raising voices of remembrance. The sacrifice of firefighters must not be repeated. We must take fundamental measures to prevent recurring disasters. If systems are insufficient, we must supplement them; if there are oversights, we must correct them more thoroughly to ensure that similar fires do not recur, and we must improve conditions so that firefighters can carry out their duties more safely. That is the way to ensure that the noble sacrifice of firefighters is not in vain.
We must thoroughly clarify the cause of the accident so that such incidents never happen again, and Gyeonggi Province will do our utmost to ensure that precious lives are never sacrificed again.
I have said this to firefighters before. It is God's work to give life and take it back. You are those who fulfill the role of God, saving the lives of those collapsing in the face of crisis. But when I think of Fire Captain Kim Dong-sik, who went to God's realm while trying to save lives, I feel as if I myself pushed him there, and my heart aches.
I pray that Fire Captain Kim Dong-sik, our eternal colleague and exemplar of the fire service, finds eternal rest with the sincere love and respect of his family, colleagues, Gyeonggi Province residents, and our citizens. May he rest in peace.
June 21, 2021
Head of Funeral Committee, Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung