"I Won't Forget Our Kids" Two Fallen Firefighters Rest in Peace at Daejeon National Cemetery

Two young firefighters who died in the line of duty at a fire scene in Mungyeong, Gyeongbuk, Fire Sergeant Kim Sugwang (27) and Fire Corporal Park Suhun (35), have been laid to rest.

The burial ceremony held on the afternoon of the 3rd at the Firefighter Cemetery in Daejeon National Cemetery was conducted with the highest honors, including a salute to the deceased, flower offering and incense burning, lowering of the coffin, soil covering, and a moment of silence.

Family members, Nam Hwayeong, Commissioner of the National Fire Agency, Oh Younghwan, Member of the National Assembly from the Democratic Party, Hwang Wonchae, Director of the National Daejeon Cemetery, Bae Jonghyuk, Chief of Mungyeong Fire Station, and fellow firefighters from Gyeongbuk Fire Department took turns offering flowers and incense to pay tribute to the deceased.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

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On that day, the mothers of the deceased, who had been quietly holding their places, broke into tears in front of their sons' portraits, and Fire Corporal Park Suhun’s mother was unable to walk steadily and was supported by fellow firefighters.

The bereaved family, covering the urns with soil, said their final farewells: "Our child, you worked so hard all this time, we will never forget you, rest peacefully now, and let’s definitely meet again later."

Before the burial ceremony, a funeral service held at the Gyeongbuk Provincial Government Office in Andong City, Gyeongbuk, was attended by about 1,000 people, including the families, relatives, colleagues of Fire Sergeant Kim and Fire Corporal Park, the Governor of Gyeongbuk Province, and the Commissioner of the National Fire Agency.

Firefighter Yoon Inkyu, who was on the same team as the deceased, said in his eulogy, "Our team leaders, who ran to the scene at the sound of the fire alarm without a moment’s hesitation, their dignified backs are still vivid in my eyes," and added, "Just as the team leaders did, we will return to our daily lives from tomorrow and rush to help everyone in need. Please entrust your remaining family to us and rest in peace."

On the day of the burial ceremony, the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs lowered flags to half-mast at patriotic offices and national cemeteries nationwide to honor and mourn the deceased who fulfilled their duties to save citizens engulfed in flames.

Fire Sergeant Kim and Fire Corporal Park responded to a fire at a meat processing plant in Singi Industrial Complex, Singi-dong, Mungyeong City, Gyeongbuk, at around 7:47 p.m. on the 31st of last month. Upon hearing that there might be people inside the building, they rushed in but ultimately could not escape the rapidly spreading flames.

Fire Sergeant Kim had responded to over 500 incidents during his five years of service. Fire Corporal Park, a former Special Forces non-commissioned officer, devoted himself to rescuing lives at over 400 fire and emergency scenes over two years.

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