Joint Funeral Service for Firefighters Killed in Pyeongtaek Fire Held Under Gyeonggi Province Governor's Authority

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Park No-hun] The joint funeral service for the late Fire Captain Lee Hyeong-seok, Fire Lieutenant Park Su-dong, and Fire Sergeant Cho Woo-chan of Songtan Fire Station, who died in a tragic accident while suppressing a fire at a new construction site in Pyeongtaek, was solemnly held on the morning of January 8 at Pyeongtaek Ichung Sports Center under the authority of the Gyeonggi Province Governor.

The funeral service was attended by some 300 people including bereaved families, President Moon Jae-in, Acting Gyeonggi Province Governor Oh Byeong-gwon as chairman of the funeral committee, members of the National Assembly, provincial and municipal council members, and fellow firefighters, mourning the sacrifice of the deceased and praying for their peace.

Acting Governor Oh Byeong-gwon delivered the funeral oration titled "We mourn the noble sacrifice of the late Fire Captain Lee Hyeong-seok, the late Fire Lieutenant Park Su-dong, and the late Fire Sergeant Cho Woo-chan," saying: "From the beginning of the new year, we have received shocking news, and I extend my deepest condolences to the bereaved families sunk in overwhelming grief and to the firefighting family members suffering from the pain of losing colleagues."

He continued: "I offer my deep respect for the dedication and sacrifice of these three individuals, and I will remain with you until the bereaved families can overcome their sorrow and stand again. Despite the safety management efforts we have made so far, I am heartbroken by the sacrifice of firefighters occurring once again. As the chief administrator, I am profoundly distressed and apologetic."

He then pledged: "Today, before the portraits of these three individuals, I promise to more firmly protect the health, safety, pride, and dignity of firefighters. To ensure such tragedy never occurs again, we will thoroughly investigate the causes of this accident and implement various improvement measures so that firefighters can perform their duties more safely."

Following this, Fire Sergeant Chae Jun-young from Songtan Fire Station, representing colleagues of the deceased's last posting, delivered a condolence address. Sergeant Chae said: "They boldly rushed to the scene to rescue citizens in potential danger amid the cold night air, but that day our colleagues never returned. I sincerely hope that the image of these three heroes will forever remain in the hearts and memories of all of us. Team leader! Su-dong! Woo-chan! I pray that you now set everything down and rest peacefully in a new world that is neither hot nor dark."

President Moon Jae-in presented flowers and incense at the very end of the funeral service, and according to a written briefing by Cheong Wa Dae Spokesperson Park Kyung-mi, expressed condolences to each bereaved family member, saying "We offer comfort on behalf of the nation."

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety and Gyeonggi Province posthumously awarded the deceased with one-rank special promotion and the Eokjo Keunjeong Medal. The remains were buried at Seoul National Cemetery on that day.

The late Fire Captain Lee Hyeong-seok, the late Fire Lieutenant Park Su-dong, and the late Fire Sergeant Cho Woo-chan tragically died on the morning of January 6 while conducting final fire suppression operations at a new construction site in Pyeongtaek, unable to escape in time.