"Even Knowing the Ending, I Would Choose You Again, My Kind Husband"... Letter from the Fiancée of a Fallen Firefighter

Died in Wando Fire Just Months Before October Wedding
Outpouring of Condolences for Fiancée's Heartfelt Tribute

Condolences continue to pour in after a tribute letter written by the fiancée of the late Fire Officer No Taeyoung (age 30), who died in the line of duty at a seafood processing plant's cold storage fire in Wando, Jeollanam-do, was shared.

On the morning of the 14th, at the Farmers and Fishermen Cultural and Sports Center in Wando County, Jeollanam-do, a bereaved family member is crying out loudly after laying flowers at the funeral ceremony for the late Fire Lieutenant Park Seungwon and Fire Officer No Taeyoung. Photo by Yonhap News

On April 16, No's fiancée, identified as Ms. A, posted a letter on her social media account beginning, "My husband, who was so kind and naive that even saying 'I love you' isn't enough." The couple was scheduled to get married in October.

Ms. A expressed her sorrow, writing, "How hot, terrifying, and frightening it must have been," and added, "I still feel stuck on the morning of April 12. When I heard you went out on a fire call and then got the news you were missing, my heart sank and my world collapsed."

She continued, recalling his sense of duty, "You always used to say that even if you had a family, you thought you would be the first to go in and the last to come out."

Ms. A went on, "All I have left from our three years together are memories of how well you treated me, which makes it even harder. If there was anything to blame, I might hold on to that, but I have nothing to blame—only regret."

She also shared her deep affection, writing, "Even if I knew our story would end this way, I would still choose you," and "Thank you for giving me the happiest moments of my life." She added, "I love you and love you again, my husband. Please meet me as my husband in our next life, too."

Additionally, she expressed gratitude to the family, friends, and colleagues who came to honor him on his final journey, saying, "I am especially thankful to everyone who came so he would not be alone on his last path."

Upon reading the letter, online users have continued to send messages of condolence and comfort, such as "We will not forget your sacrifice," "No words can console this sudden loss," and "My heart aches so much."

Meanwhile, this accident occurred at 8:25 a.m. on April 12 at a seafood cold storage facility in Gunoe-myeon, Wando County, Jeollanam-do. The late Fire Lieutenant Park Seungwon and Fire Officer No Taeyoung re-entered the building after the initial suppression, but as the flames spread again, they became trapped and were later found deceased.

The late Fire Officer No Taeyoung was a young firefighter who joined the force in 2022 and was just five months away from his wedding. Fire Lieutenant Park Seungwon, who also died at the scene, was a veteran with 19 years of experience responding to disasters in Jeollanam-do. He is survived by his wife, a son, and two daughters, deepening the sense of loss.

The funeral ceremony for the two firefighters was held with full provincial honors in Wando on the morning of April 14, and both have been laid to rest at the Daejeon National Cemetery.

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