President Lee Jae-myung visited the funeral hall of the late Fire Lieutenant Kim Jin-seok on the 17th to pay his respects, after Kim was killed in the line of duty fighting a fire at a paint factory in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province. "The state must also fulfill its responsibility through honors and support befitting his dedication and sacrifice," Lee said. The president posthumously awarded Kim the Okjo Order of Service Merit.
Lee arrived at about 6:14 p.m. that day at the funeral hall of Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital in Wonmi-gu, Bucheon, where Kim's wake had been set up. According to the presidential office, Lee laid flowers before Kim's portrait, observed a moment of silence and then met with the bereaved family to offer condolences. He sat facing Kim's wife for an extended conversation, mourning at length. He also asked how old Kim's daughter was, and after hearing the answer — "She's 7" — he fell silent for some time with a heavy expression, unable to continue speaking.
Outside the wake, he asked Kim's father whether Kim had been an only son, then held back his words for a while before offering condolences. Family members voiced their worries, saying, "Please make sure our little girl can grow up well," and Lee nodded deeply. The presidential office said Lee "expressed regret that he could find no words beyond gratitude for the sacrifices of firefighters who serve the nation."
After paying his respects, Lee wished a swift recovery for the firefighters who were injured at the same scene and are receiving treatment. He instructed Minister of the Interior and Safety Yoon Ho-jung to spare no support needed for their treatment and recovery. He also said the state must remember to the end the dedication of a man who died protecting the lives of its citizens and extend proper honors, stressing that the government must look carefully after the future of the family and young child left behind and stand with them to the end.
In the guest book, Lee wrote: "In the safe daily life you protected, the people will remember your sacrifice forever. Oct. 17, 2026. Lee Jae-myung, President of the Republic of Korea."
Kim had been deployed the previous day to fight the paint factory fire in Bucheon. He was rescued in cardiac arrest and taken to a hospital, but died at about 12:55 a.m. on the 17th. Seven other firefighters dispatched to the scene were also injured.