Lee visited the mourning room set up at the funeral hall of Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital in Bucheon that afternoon to pay his respects and console the bereaved family. He was accompanied by Interior and Safety Minister Yun Ho-jung, Presidential Chief of Staff Lim Kwang-hyun and National Fire Agency Commissioner Choi Yong-chul.
Entering the room with a somber expression, Lee knelt before Kim's portrait, offered incense and observed a moment of silence. He then posthumously conferred the Okjo Order of Service Merit on Kim and paid his respects to the family.
In the guest book, Lee wrote: "In the safe daily lives you protected, the people will remember your sacrifice forever."
Kim was taken to a hospital in cardiac arrest while fighting a fire that broke out at about 8:38 a.m. on Oct. 16 at a metal injection-molding and printing plant in Bucheon. Despite treatment, he died at about 12:55 a.m. on Oct. 17. The fire left a total of eight people dead or injured, including Kim, other firefighters and factory workers.
Before visiting the funeral altar, Lee also mourned Kim on X, formerly Twitter. "We will not forget his sacrifice," he wrote. "I am heartbroken. I offer my deepest condolences."
Lee said, "Protecting the safety of firefighters who protect the safety of the people is a duty the state must fulfill," adding, "The government will thoroughly review safety measures and address shortcomings so that front-line personnel can carry out their duties more safely."
He also pledged, "We will carefully ensure that firefighters who devote themselves to the people receive honors and treatment commensurate with their sacrifice and hard work."