Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon is visiting the fire site on the afternoon of the 25th and giving a second briefing.
Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon has announced additional measures to manage the aftermath of the Hwaseong factory fire accident.
On the afternoon of the 25th, Governor Kim held a second briefing at the fire site and explained, "Gyeonggi Province is deploying staff to support the victims and their families, setting up a joint memorial altar, and preparing rest areas for the bereaved families in relation to this accident."
He added, "To prevent secondary damage and ensure the safety of nearby residents, we investigated whether hydrogen chloride, which occurs after lithium combustion, was detected around the accident site and examined secondary damage caused by contaminated water. The accident site is only about 1 km from the sea, so we have blocked all four sluice gates leading to the sea and completed additional disaster prevention measures. We will continue to block all possible contamination flowing into rivers and the sea," emphasizing the efforts.
Furthermore, he said, "The Gyeonggi-do Institute of Health and Environment is monitoring to ensure the safety of nearby residents."
He also stated, "We are working on fundamental measures for migrant workers. The biggest difficulties migrant workers currently face are, first, safety issues; second, housing problems; third, medical issues; and fourth, education problems. Taking this accident as an opportunity, we will create measures so that migrant workers and multicultural families can live as members of our society without discrimination."
Moreover, he said, "I have ordered early flag lowering at major Gyeonggi Province institutions such as the Gyeonggi Provincial Government Office, the Northern Office, and the Fire Headquarters. Although the mourning period has not yet begun, we lowered the flags early from this morning to honor the souls of the victims and pray for their repose together with the residents."
Earlier, Governor Kim communicated with the Chinese Ambassador to Korea and the Laotian Ambassador to Korea regarding the management of the factory fire accident and explained the progress.
He first revealed the phone call content, saying, "After 9 p.m. yesterday, I received a call from Ambassador Xing Haiming of China to Korea. Ambassador Xing expressed gratitude for the Gyeonggi Fire Headquarters’ care for migrant workers. Gyeonggi Province promised to do its best to create measures for migrant workers."
He also added, "I had a phone call with Ambassador Songkan Luangmuninthorn of Laos on the afternoon of the 25th and explained the current accident management situation and countermeasures."
According to the fire authorities, there have been a total of 23 victims in the Hwaseong factory fire so far, including 5 Koreans, 17 Chinese, and 1 Laotian.
The remains of the victims have all been transferred to the National Forensic Service for DNA testing. Once the DNA testing is completed and the bodies are handed over to the bereaved families, funeral procedures will follow.
Governor Kim previously stated that if the families of the deceased workers wish to come to Korea, support will be provided for airfare, accommodation expenses, and interpreters, showing full consideration until the end.
After concluding the briefing that day, Governor Kim visited Hwaseong City Hall to console the bereaved families.
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