◀ Anchor ▶
Wreaths from colleagues and letters of support from young students are gathering at the Yongsan Fire Station, where the chief and command squad leader were arrested and investigated by the police.
There is a growing complaint among firefighters that the police are scapegoating firefighters at the scene.
Police have repeatedly stated the need for an investigation.
Reporter Goo Yeon-yeon covered the story.
◀ Report ▶
This morning, Seoul Yongsan Fire Station.
A banner criticizing the police arresting Yongsan fire chief Choi Seong-beom hangs at the entrance to the fire station.
Upon entering the fire station, the entrance is filled with wreaths with various inspirational quotes written on them.
In connection with the response to the “10:29 disaster”, former and current firefighter colleagues sent it to Chief Choi Seong-beom and the firefighters under investigation.
“This is the corridor on the first floor of the Yongsan Fire Station. There are cheering wreaths sent from everywhere.”
Letters written by elementary school students in Korean letters came one after another.
It is a message of consolation, which says: “Everyone was sad, but the saddest people were the firefighters.”
Included were concerns that “trauma could occur,” a request to “wear warm clothing,” and support for “I want to share my energy.”
However, in addition to chronic overwork, firefighters investigated by police witnesses say that they did not even have time to read the letter.
As the investigation of the special edition continued, the burden of the field crews, such as the seizure, search and summons investigations, as well as Chief Choi Seong-beom continued, and the dissatisfaction of the frontline firefighters grew .
[고진영/공무원노조총연맹 소방노조 위원장]
“If you call every single member of the crew and investigate what the situation was like while holding a magnifying glass and dusting it off…”
Chief Choi Seong-beom, who is receiving trauma treatment, blamed himself, saying, “It would have been nice if staff and non-workers were also mobilized,” and mentioned “the determination to take responsibility.”
[최성범/서울 용산소방서장 (지난 11일)]
“(To the bereaved families) I’m not sure what words of comfort I should give. As the chief of the local fire station, I am ready to take responsibility regardless of my position or responsibility.”
Police Special Investigations Headquarters said Chief Choi, who was initially known as off-duty, “confirmed that he had been designated as the officer in charge as of 6pm on the day of the disaster.”
The special edition repeatedly made it clear that an investigation was needed, saying, “We are examining whether Chief Choi has actually worked and whether he has taken adequate preventive and relief measures.”
I’m Koo Yeon from MBC News.
Video Coverage: Jang Young-geun / Video Editing: Lim Joo-hyang
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