[Summary] "A Death We Could Not Protect" 8-Year-Old Sibling Dies in 'Ramyeon Fire' Tragedy

Rapid Health Decline Since the 20th
Complaints of Vomiting and Breathing Difficulties
Treated in ICU but Ultimately Passed Away
Political Circles Continue to Mourn
"Tragic Outcome of Child Protection Blind Spots"

According to the Incheon Michuhol-gu Fire Station, on the 14th of last month, an elementary school-aged brother and sister caused a fire while cooking ramen in a villa in Michuhol-gu. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] The younger brother of an elementary school student in Incheon, who suffered severe burns after a fire broke out while cooking ramen alone at home during his mother’s absence, passed away on the 21st. The brothers showed signs of improvement during the Chuseok holiday after being hospitalized, with the younger brother regaining consciousness at times, but his condition suddenly worsened, leading to his death.

According to multiple media reports, the younger brother, A (8), who was receiving treatment at a specialized burn hospital in Seoul, was transferred to the intensive care unit as his condition deteriorated on the day but passed away around 3:45 p.m.

A had previously improved on the 2nd and was moved from the ICU to a general ward. At that time, he was able to speak in short words and recognize his mother’s face, showing signs of regaining consciousness. However, from the afternoon of the 20th, he suddenly experienced severe respiratory distress and vomiting, and his health rapidly declined. Medical staff transferred A from the general ward back to the ICU to attempt treatment.

Throughout the morning of the 21st, medical staff attempted intubation on A’s airway and performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation for over two hours, but he ultimately did not regain consciousness.

Meanwhile, the older brother B (10) reportedly recovered enough to attend remote classes via a mobile phone recently.

The exterior wall of a villa in Michuhol-gu, Incheon, where a fire broke out while elementary school siblings were cooking ramen, was blackened on the morning of the 17th of last month. / Photo by Yonhap News

Earlier, at around 11:10 a.m. on the 14th of last month, a fire broke out while the brothers were cooking ramen in their second-floor apartment of a four-story villa in Michuhol-gu, Incheon.

The brothers urgently called 119 and shouted, “Please save us,” as the fire broke out. The fire department tracked the location via their mobile phones, identified the fire site, and dispatched firefighters to extinguish the blaze. The fire completely burned the 10-pyeong (33㎡) interior of the brothers’ home and was extinguished around 11:29 a.m. that day.

Due to the fire, older brother B suffered third-degree burns on 40% of his body, while A had first-degree burns but inhaled toxic fumes, making self-breathing difficult. Both were transferred to the ICU of a hospital in Seoul and treated while dependent on oxygen respirators.

The brothers were children from a basic livelihood security household and usually relied on school meals for their daily nutrition. However, due to the resurgence of COVID-19, schools switched to remote learning, cutting off access to school meals. As a result, they tried to cook ramen by themselves to eat, which led to this tragic accident. It was confirmed that their mother, C, was not at home at the time of the fire.

The Michuhol Police Station in Incheon reported on the 16th of last month that they had taken C into custody without detention on charges of child neglect and abuse, suspecting her of abandoning and abusing the children. She was sent to the prosecution with a recommendation for indictment in August for violating the Child Welfare Act.

Water cleaning work is underway on the morning of the 17th of last month at a villa in Michuhol-gu, Incheon, where a fire occurred. / Photo by Yonhap News

Meanwhile, A’s funeral was held on the afternoon of the 21st at the Red Cross Hospital in Yeonsu-gu, Incheon.

On the same day, tributes to A continued in the political sphere.

Nam Younghee, the standing deputy spokesperson of the Democratic Party of Korea, issued a statement saying, “The younger brother ultimately lost his life just over a month after the incident. This accident is a tragic result of care gaps and blind spots in child protection. The Democratic Party will do its utmost to prepare measures to prevent recurrence so that no more children suffer.”

Hwang Kyuhwan, deputy spokesperson of the People Power Party, said in a verbal statement, “We mourn together the death we could not prevent. We pray with folded hands that he will be happy and free from pain in heaven.”

He added, “We hope he rests peacefully in heaven without hunger. We will push for amendments to relevant laws to separate abused children from their parents.”