PPP leadership pays respects at Bucheon hospital; Na Kyung-won criticizes Gyeonggi Governor Choo Mi-ae; Reform Party leaders also attend

People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok (front row, right) and floor leader Jeong Jeom-sik (front row, left) leave the funeral hall at Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital on Sunday after paying their respects to the late Fire Lieutenant Kim Jin-seok, who died in the line of duty during a factory fire in Bucheon. [Yonhap]
People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok (front row, right) and floor leader Jeong Jeom-sik (front row, left) leave the funeral hall at Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital on Sunday after paying their respects to the late Fire Lieutenant Kim Jin-seok, who died in the line of duty during a factory fire in Bucheon. [Yonhap]

People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok, floor leader Jeong Jeom-sik and other senior party figures visited the wake of Fire Lieutenant Kim Jin-seok on Sunday. Kim died fighting a factory fire in Bucheon.

Jang and Jeong called at the funeral hall set up at Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital that morning to offer condolences and comfort the bereaved family.

Speaking to reporters after the visit, Jang said the state has a duty to protect the firefighters who safeguard the lives and safety of the public. "We must review safety measures so that those who protect the lives and safety of the people can carry out their duties safely, and any shortcomings must be thoroughly addressed," he said.

He added that a letter written by the lieutenant's seven-year-old child had left him heartbroken. "The spouse's tearful plea — just asking that the child be raised well — weighs heavily on my heart," Jang said. "I will do my utmost to ensure that his sacrifice was not in vain."

In the condolence book, Jang wrote: "I offer my deepest condolences. We will never forget your noble sacrifice. The state will take greater care to support firefighters as they carry out their duty to protect the lives and safety of the people."

Jeong wrote: "We will hold your noble sacrifice for the protection of the people's lives deep in our hearts. The Republic of Korea will never forget your noble spirit."

Before the visit, Jeong expressed his condolences at a press briefing at the National Assembly, saying he paid tribute to the lieutenant's commitment to fulfilling his duty to the very end to keep the public safe.

Also attending the wake were Secretary-General Jeong Hee-yong, Policy Committee Chair Im Yi-ja, Chief of Staff to the Party Leader Park Jun-tae, Senior Spokespersons Park Chung-kwon and Choi Bo-yoon, and Senior Floor Spokesperson Choi Su-jin.

Five-term lawmaker Na Kyung-won also visited the wake that morning. In a Facebook post after paying her respects, Na recalled the joy firefighters showed the day they were transferred to national civil servant status. "It was not just about their treatment," she wrote. "It was the pride and honor of having the state recognize their sacrifice and dedication." She added, however, that reality had fallen short: "Budgets and the chain of command remained in effect the same as in the days when they were local government employees."

Na then took aim at Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Mi-ae, saying the structural contradictions had produced "a governor who calls the fire department a 'fiscal drain.'" She vowed to build a system in which the state takes genuine responsibility befitting the national civil servant designation firefighters now hold.

Reform Party interim committee chair Lee Gi-in and floor leader Cheon Ha-ram also visited the wake that morning to offer their condolences and comfort the family.


ken@heraldcorp.com