Firefighters who died in South Jeolla blaze remembered as president, prime minister extend condolences
Published: 13 Apr. 2026, 07:00
Updated: 13 Apr. 2026, 11:19
![Firefighters watch their colleagues' bodies being moved into an ambulance after they were found dead inside a warehouse in Wando County, South Jeolla, on April 12. [YONHAP]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2026/04/13/64532734-fb46-4171-bff6-9725e39f6b80.jpg)
Firefighters watch their colleagues' bodies being moved into an ambulance after they were found dead inside a warehouse in Wando County, South Jeolla, on April 12. [YONHAP]
WANDO, South Jeolla — Condolences poured in as the two firefighters who died in the warehouse fire in Wando County, South Jeolla, have been identified as a father of three and a firefighter who was preparing to get married.
The fire broke out at around 8:25 a.m. at a frozen storage facility at a seafood processing company in the county, killing two firefighters who were working to put out the fire. The victims were a 44-year-old fire lieutenant from the Wando Fire Station and a 31-year-old firefighter under the Haenam Fire Station.
The lieutenant was a veteran firefighter and the head of a household with three children. Appointed in 2007, the worker had saved numerous lives over the years and was known as a dedicated firefighter. The firefighter was also regarded as a responsible senior who took good care of junior colleagues.
“He was a senior who really looked after younger firefighters both at the station and at fire scenes,” a firefighter from a Jeonnam Fire Department said. “He often showed photos of his children and spoke proudly about them. I still can’t believe he has left his family behind.”
The younger firefighter, whose body was recovered later at the scene, had been planning to marry in October. A fifth-year firefighter, he was known for diligently carrying out assigned duties and for maintaining a respectful attitude toward senior colleagues while working in Haenam, where the firefighter had no personal ties.
“I didn’t work directly with the firefighter, but I knew the person as someone polite and of good character,” a firefighter from the Haenam Fire Station said. A colleague who had been dispatched to the scene said, “We are devastated to have lost a colleague. It is hard to put anything into words.”
![A fire breaks out at a warehouse in Wando County, South Jeolla, on April 12. [YONHAP]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2026/04/13/c467885e-fd9c-4fa9-a170-1e1a89bdb450.jpg)
A fire breaks out at a warehouse in Wando County, South Jeolla, on April 12. [YONHAP]
![Firefighters take measures after putting a fire out at a warehouse in Wando County, South Jeolla, on April 12. [JEONNAM FIRE DEPARTMENT]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2026/04/13/477ae4f4-3057-4745-b152-9a8eb2387cf5.jpg)
Firefighters take measures after putting a fire out at a warehouse in Wando County, South Jeolla, on April 12. [JEONNAM FIRE DEPARTMENT]
President Lee Jae Myung and Prime Minister Kim Min-seok expressed condolences after receiving reports of the firefighters’ deaths.
“They ran to the most dangerous scene to protect the lives and safety of the people and fulfilled their duties until the very end,” Lee wrote on X on Sunday. “I bow my head in respect for their courage and dedication.”
“The government will take this incident seriously and ensure that all personnel can carry out their duties in a safer environment,” Lee added. “I extend my deepest condolences to the bereaved families and offer comfort and encouragement to fellow firefighters.”
Prime Minister Kim wrote on Facebook, “Two firefighters who were battling fierce flames at the scene have tragically died in the line of duty,” adding, “We will work to improve equipment and training to better protect firefighters who put their own safety aside and run toward danger.”
It marks the first time in six years that a firefighter in South Jeolla has died in the line of duty while carrying out field operations, since the death of firefighter Kim Guk-hwan in July 2020. Kim died after being swept away by strong currents while rescuing vacationers in the Piagol Valley of Mount Jiri in Gurye County.
This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
BY HWANG HEE-GYU [[email protected]]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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