Active Firefighter's Tribute Video for Fallen Officer Sparks Online Attention

A memorial video for the late Fire Inspector Kim Jin-seok, released by an active-duty firefighter, is drawing attention online.

On October 20, a video titled "Straw" was uploaded to the YouTube channel "Firefighter Uncle," run by Firefighter Na Kyung-jin of the Jincheon Fire Station under the North Chungcheong Fire Headquarters.

The video begins with a scene showing a single straw stuck in a glass of water. Later, a firefighter wearing a mourning ribbon removes the straw from the cup, places a single chrysanthemum in its place, and walks off-screen.

Afterward, a memorial message reading "Rest in peace, Fire Inspector Kim Jin-seok" appeared on the screen, accompanied by a portion of the firefighting anthem "A Tribute."

[Firefighting Anthem "A Tribute" : You who left us too soon while wearing the same uniform and doing the same work. We gained love and honor upon the foundation of your sacrifice.]

In the video's description box, Firefighter Na wrote, "I pray for the repose of the late Fire Inspector Kim Jin-seok, who fulfilled his duty to the end to protect the lives and safety of the public at the factory fire scene in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province," adding, "I wish a speedy recovery to the fellow senior and junior firefighters who operated at the fire scene."

The memorial video has drawn comments such as, "This is true satire and respect for the dead," and "Don't be discouraged by politicians' words," with many noting that it is reminiscent of Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Mi-ae's recently controversial remark about a "drain on firefighting finances."

Governor Choo met with six officials from the Fire Officials' Headquarters of the Korean Government Employees' Union yesterday and apologized, saying, "I am truly sorry if it caused hurt."

While accepting Governor Choo's apology, the fire union urged authorities to uncover the truth behind Fire Inspector Kim's death in the line of duty and improve working conditions, including addressing the shortage of firefighting personnel.

(Reported by Park Se-won | Video by Na Hong-hee | Graphics by Lee Jung-joo | Produced by SBS Digital News | Video Source: YouTube channel "Firefighter Uncle")
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.