(Unofficial Translation)

Bereaved families, fellow Koreans,  

Today, we bid farewell to five heroes.

They were beloved sons, a daughter, fathers, husbands and friends as well as the most reliable fire rescue officers – Kim Jong-pil, Seo Jeong-yong, Lee Jong-hu, Bae Hyeok and Park Dan-bi. The time has come for us to etch the names of these five heroes onto our hearts.

On October 31, the five air rescue officers embarked on a mission in the dark of night without the slightest hesitation to airlift a Korean national awaiting rescue at the easternmost point of our territory far across the sea. 

The five officers - who shared a sense of camaraderie and had trained to overcome any difficult situation under a pledge to save lives - promptly administered emergency care at the scene to abate the crisis.

On that night, however, our heroes were unable to return to our side. Thwarted in their mission to return home safely, they came to rest deep beneath rough seas.

Today, I join all Koreans in permanently honoring the noble spirit of the five brave air rescue officers. I also want to share this sorrow and sympathy with all of the firefighters across the country who quietly dedicate their lives to taking on unforeseeable risks.

I extend my deepest condolences to the relatives who are suffering heartbreaking grief and sadness from their loss. My gratitude and encouragement also go to the 119 rescue divers, naval forces and coast guard officers who have done their best to return the missing heroes to the arms of their family during arduous undertakings. 

Bereaved relatives, fellow citizens,  

The people have the right to be safe from disasters and to be protected from harm. The nation exists to safeguard the people’s lives and safety. To those awaiting rescue in areas hit by disasters, firefighters represent the nation itself.

People believe that if they can just dial 119, they can be rescued anytime, anywhere. Our five heroes lived up to that belief in the name of the country.
 
Captain Kim Jong-pil was a veteran pilot with 20 years of experience. He was a proud father of three children and a trustworthy colleague who took care of the people around him with the utmost sincerity while constantly honing his abilities.
 
Aviation maintenance inspector Seo Jeong-yong, a warm-hearted father who loved his son and daughter, was one of the nation’s foremost inspectors of large helicopters. He was an excellent senior inspector, who generously shared his experience and knowledge with those under him.
 
Co-pilot Lee Jong-hu was a reliable pilot with experience in flying an emergency medevac helicopter and was the “caretaker of the aviation team” who paid close attention to his colleagues. What is all the more heartbreaking is the fact that he was especially precious to his parents as they had lost another son earlier.

Air rescue officer Bae Hyeok, a graduate of Keimyung University here, was a newlywed, having married just two months ago. He became a firefighter after a career with the ROK Navy’s Sea Salvage and Rescue Unit and was a competent and devoted rescue officer who was dispatched to the scene of the passenger boat sinking in Hungary in May this year to carry out the tough underwater search there.
 
Air rescue officer Park Dan-bi was a first-year paramedic who always smiled brightly. She was a true firefighter who continued her training even at home on her days off and pledged to repay any debts she owed the world by saving people’s lives. 
 
All five of them had faithfully devoted themselves to their life and work and shown great love to their family and colleagues. The dedication that all of them exhibited by always doing their best provided the strength to hold the hands of those in life-or-death situations.

Paying my deep respect to the five heroes for their dedication and sacrifice, I, as President, will carry a lasting sense of responsibility for the people’s safety just like these heroes, who were on the frontlines of answering the people’s urgent and desperate calls, did. I will also never forget that protecting the safety and happiness of firefighters is the nation’s duty as well.  

Fellow Koreans and firefighters, 

The law long desired by the firefighting community has finally been promulgated: The status of firefighters has been changed to civil servants of the central government. 

In front of the portraits of the five heroes today, I promise that the nation will more resolutely protect the health, safety, self-esteem and pride of firefighters. 

Now, we must pay tribute to these five firefighters’ devotion and sacrifice in the name of a safe Republic of Korea. 

We will fully ascertain the cause of the accident. By integrating the management of fire and rescue helicopters at the national level, we will improve firefighting services and better protect the safety of firefighters as well. 

We will strive to take better care of firefighters and their families in order to commemorate forever the sacrifices of these five people. The nation will fulfill its responsibility so that their relatives can overcome their sorrow and take pride in being part of the firefighting community. 

The lives of the five air rescue officers who sacrificed themselves for the people will be remembered forever on Korea’s easternmost islands Dokdo. When the sun rises every morning, it will remind us of the preciousness of life. 

Now, we bid farewell to the late Kim Jong-pil, Seo Jeong-yong, Lee Jong-hu, Bae Hyeok and Park Dan-bi. I also express my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved relatives of the late Yoon Yeong-ho and Park Gi-dong, who passed away in the same accident. 

May all seven rest in eternal peace.