[Anchor]

The funeral was solemnly held today for the late Fire Inspector Kim Jin-seok, who died in the line of duty three days ago at a factory fire in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province. He was a dedicated firefighter, a warm colleague, and a devoted husband and father to his family. We pray for the repose of the deceased and extend our deepest condolences to the bereaved family.

For our first story today, reporter Im Jihyeon has the details.

[Reporter]

Bucheon Gymnasium in Gyeonggi Province, where the funeral for the late Fire Inspector Kim Jin-seok was solemnly held.

Fellow firefighters walk heavily in a line, carrying the portrait.

As the coffin of the deceased entered the funeral hall, the firefighters saluted in unison and shed tears.

[Park Jun-seong / Firefighter (Colleague of Fire Inspector Kim): Please now put down all the heavy equipment and tense dispatches. Thank you for being with us. May you rest in peace.]

Fire Inspector Kim's family, including his wife who entered supported by fellow firefighters, attended the funeral.

Fellow firefighters tearfully bid their final farewells.

[Attention, everyone. Salute to Fire Inspector Kim Jin-seok. (Goodbye, Jin-seok. You worked hard.)]

The funeral took place in a solemn atmosphere, filled with firefighters in their official uniforms.

Gyeonggi Governor Choo Mi-ae, serving as the chairperson of the funeral committee, promised in her memorial address to improve firefighting operations and working conditions.

[Choo Mi-ae / Governor of Gyeonggi Province: We will not stop at just mourning. We will more thoroughly inspect field safety and working environments.]

Fire Inspector Kim's remains were moved to the Ojeong 119 Safety Center, where he worked until just before his passing, to be seen off by his colleagues before being laid to rest at the Seoul National Cemetery.

On the day of the fire, Fire Inspector Kim was reportedly just 20 minutes away from leaving work after finishing a 24-hour shift when he was dispatched to the fire scene, entered first, and became trapped by the flames.

The government posthumously promoted Fire Inspector Kim by one rank from fire sergeant to fire inspector and awarded him the Okjo Order of Service Merit.

Meanwhile, the police have formed a dedicated investigation team for the Bucheon fire accident and have booked the 70-year-old factory representative on charges including professional negligence resulting in injury, while investigating whether safety management rules were followed.

(Video by Joo Yong-jin | Video Editing by Lee So-young)