The Federation of Korean Industries (FKI) donated 300 million won to families of firefighters who died in the line of duty, with Chairman Ryu Jin and heads of related agencies personally joining them for lunch to deliver messages of condolence.
FKI said Friday that it invited families of fallen firefighters to FKI Tower in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, to present the donation. The federation contributed a total of 300 million won, including Chairman Ryu's personal donation of 100 million won, to the Firefighter Family Hope Sharing organization, which was established and operates to support firefighter families. The funds will be used for scholarships for the orphaned children of fallen firefighters, psychological therapy for family members, and emergency financial assistance for households facing livelihood difficulties due to sudden accidents.
A luncheon was held with the bereaved families of fallen firefighters, Chairman Ryu, Interior and Safety Minister Yoon Ho-jung, and National Fire Agency Commissioner Kim Seung-ryong. A total of eight households with 10 family members attended, including the bereaved families of the late Fire Sergeant Kim Soo-kwang and the late Fire Officer Park Soo-hoon, who died at the scene of the Mungyeong factory fire in 2024. FKI said the attendees honored the noble sacrificial spirit of firefighters who devoted themselves to the nation and its people.
"The Republic of Korea stands upon the sacrifices of firefighting heroes, and it is only right that we thank and honor them," Ryu said. "Our gathering here today is to remember these heroes." He added, "While no one can fully comprehend the pain and loss experienced by the bereaved families, we have prepared a small token of our sincerity to share even a fraction of that sentiment. The business community will continue to stand together with them and strive to build a society where heroes in uniform are properly respected."
FKI began its outreach in 2023 with a visit to console a firefighter battling blood cancer, followed by the "We, Together" project, which presents family portraits to bereaved families of military, police, and firefighting personnel who died in the line of duty. Last year, marking the 80th anniversary of Korea's liberation, FKI also carried out a support program for descendants of independence patriots.
