Funeral Ceremony Held for Firefighter Kim Guk-hwan Who Died in the Line of Duty During 'Go-i Jamdeusoseo' Structural Activity

The funeral ceremony for the late Firefighter Kim Guk-hwan, who died in the line of duty during a rescue operation in Piagol, Jirisan, is being held at 10 a.m. on the 2nd at the Suncheon Palma Gymnasium, officiated by the Jeonnam Provincial Governor. Photo by Jeonnam Fire Headquarters

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] “Team leader, let's go.”

Kim Guk-hwan, a member of the Suncheon Fire Station Mountain 119 Rescue Team, headed to the Piyagol Water Rescue Team operation site with a fellow member at around 2:50 p.m. on the 31st of last month.

A report was received that one out of five friends playing in the water had fallen in.

Firefighter Kim Guk-hwan immediately dispatched as the advance team and began operations at the scene but was swept away by the rapid current.

He was found after 18 minutes, but Kim’s last field operation ended without completing the mission of returning safely as a young firefighter aged 28.

The late Kim Guk-hwan was a firefighter in his third year since being appointed as a rescue team member at Boseong Fire Station in Jeonnam in February 2017, and was assigned to the Suncheon Fire Station Mountain 119 Rescue Team in January this year.

After graduating high school, he enlisted as the youngest sergeant in the Army Special Forces and during his service responded to 1,480 dispatches and rescued 540 people.

In 2018, he was recognized for his outstanding achievements and received a commendation from the Fire Academy.

He was also skilled in hiking and skin diving, obtained related certifications, and was assigned to the Mountain 119 Rescue Team after being promoted to firefighter in January this year, fulfilling his aspiration.

He was known for his warm heart, actively leading efforts to help underprivileged neighbors, and was described as bright and proactive, making him a favorite senior and junior among colleagues.

A fellow firefighter who was close to Kim said, “If I owe a debt to the world, I will repay it by rescuing those in need,” recalling Kim’s smiling face. “I am sorry I couldn’t protect him and feel bitter that I wasn’t with him at that moment,” he said with tears in his eyes.

The bereaved family said, “There is no way to explain the feelings of parents who lost their child first. We couldn’t believe it and didn’t want to believe it.” They added, “However, citizens who learned of the news through the media visited the funeral hall to embrace us, comfort us, and shed tears together. We want to sincerely express our gratitude.”

The Jeonnam Fire Headquarters decided to posthumously promote Firefighter Kim by one rank to honor his spirit of sacrifice.

The funeral service for the late Kim Guk-hwan was held at the Suncheon Palma Indoor Gymnasium at 10 a.m. on the 2nd, presided over by the Governor of Jeonnam.

The service lasted about an hour with around 500 attendees including family members and guests.

The ceremony proceeded in the order of saluting the national flag, a moment of silence, a report on the deceased’s career, posthumous promotion by one rank and awarding of medals, eulogy, condolence messages, farewell speech by colleagues, flower offering and incense burning, and a gun salute.

After a memorial rite at Kim’s workplace, he will be interred at the National Daejeon National Cemetery in the afternoon of the same day.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.