[On Site] Even Reporters Wept at the Funeral... Wando Heroes Who Left Their Families Behind

Kim Minseok: "There are no words to comfort you... We will do our utmost to support the children left behind"

Park Jiwon: "The cause must be thoroughly investigated, and the nation must not neglect its compensation"

A procession of dignitaries including Yoon Hojung pays their respects... Wando shrouded in grief

The mourning room for the firefighters who died while battling the Wando frozen warehouse fire was shrouded in heavy silence and heartrending cries throughout the day. Residents and journalists, moved by the grief of the bereaved families, shed tears together, filling the funeral home with overwhelming sorrow.

At 9:13 a.m. on April 13, Prime Minister Kim Minseok and Assemblyman Park Jiwon visited the funeral home in Wando County, which had been set up for the fallen firefighters, to honor their noble sacrifice and offer condolences to the families.

The funeral hall in Wando County, where the funeral of the firefighters who died in the Wando frozen warehouse fire has been arranged, is witnessing a steady flow of heavy footsteps from central and local key figures such as Prime Minister Kim Minseok, National Assembly member Park Jiwon, and Minister of the Interior and Safety Yoon Hojung. Photo by Lee Jungkyung

Upon entering the mourning room, Prime Minister Kim Minseok bowed his head in tribute after laying flowers. He remained beside the bereaved families who had lost their loved ones so suddenly and, struggling to speak, said, "It pains me deeply that there are no words that can truly comfort you."

Prime Minister Kim could not hide his anguish over the heartbreaking stories of the families left behind. He lowered his head and said, "There is simply no way to console those who have lost a loved one—one who left behind three young children, or who departed after setting a wedding date, leaving behind the person they loved."

He went on to promise concrete government support. "We will combine every measure available at the national level and do everything we can to ensure that the children left behind face no difficulties growing up," he said. "The government will do its utmost to prevent such tragedies from happening again."

Assemblyman Park Jiwon, who joined in offering condolences, also expressed his profound grief. Park stated, "I extend my deepest condolences to the fallen firefighters and their families," and emphasized, "The nation should mobilize every possible resource to properly honor both the deceased and their families."

He also stressed the importance of uncovering the truth and taking follow-up actions. "We must conduct a thorough investigation to clearly determine the cause of the accident," Park said, "and there must not be the slightest neglect in providing national compensation to the bereaved families and the deceased."

On this day, key officials from central government and the local community continued to visit the mourning room. Minister of the Interior and Safety Yoon Hojung, Assemblyman Shin Junghoon, Min Hyungbae and Kim Youngrok—candidates for the unified mayor of Jeonnam and Gwangju—Myeong Hyeongwan, candidate for Haenam County governor, and Shin Woochul, Wando County governor, attended to pay their respects to the fallen. Minister Yoon Hojung, in particular, quietly approached the bereaved families without making any public statement, sharing in their grief with only a few words of comfort.

The funeral home was filled with the wailing of the bereaved and the sobs of those watching. Not only fellow firefighters who shared daily life with the deceased, but also journalists covering the scene, were seen wiping away tears moved by the heartbreaking stories.

This tragedy occurred as firefighters sought to protect the safety of citizens during the Wando frozen warehouse fire. The region continues to mourn the final journey of these brave firefighters—one an ordinary father who had promised a meal out with his three children, another who left behind a loved one just before their wedding—as the community’s outpouring of condolences remains unceasing.

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