The 750-meter section from the entrance of Pyeongtaek Port International Terminal (Pyeongtaekhangman-gil 78), where the Seohae Bridge is directly visible, to Manho Intersection (Pyeongtaekhangman-gil 1) is a very special street.
The street is named ‘Firefighter Lee Byung-gon Road’. The late Fire Lieutenant Lee Byung-gon, who was appointed as a firefighter in 1990, died in the line of duty on December 3, 2015, while serving as the head of Poseung 119 Safety Center at Pyeongtaek Fire Station. He responded to a fire at the main suspension cable of the Seohae Bridge and was fatally injured by a snapped cable during firefighting efforts. Thanks to the active suppression efforts of the responding firefighters, the fire was extinguished before any structural safety issues occurred on the bridge. To honor his dedication, the National Fire Agency requested Pyeongtaek City to designate an honorary street name. After going through the designation process, in 2021, on the 6th anniversary of his death, Pyeongtaek City designated ‘Firefighter Lee Byung-gon Road’ as the first honorary street name nationwide for uniformed public officials (police, fire, corrections). The National Fire Agency has developed this section into a disaster safety education and firefighting experience space, offering activities such as fire extinguisher and firefighting suit experiences. Each time participants complete an individual program, they receive a stamp and a souvenir.
On the 5th, the ‘1st 119 Memorial Day’ commemorative cultural festival honoring 559 fallen firefighters will be held at ‘Lee Byung-gon Road’. The National Fire Agency announced on the 1st that under the slogan ‘Together with the People,’ this event was organized to remember the lives and dedication of fallen firefighters with their bereaved families, firefighting colleagues, and the public, and to foster a culture of remembrance in daily life. About 300 people, including bereaved families of fallen firefighters, VIPs attending the event, the 119 Memorial public participants, and firefighters in uniform and equipment, will participate in a commemorative march walking together along ‘Firefighter Lee Byung-gon Road.’
During the parade of the 119 Memorial public participants, 15 teams selected through a preliminary screening will showcase different costumes and performances. Next to Lee Byung-gon Road, at the Pyeongtaek Port Marine Center’s Eoullim Madang, a memorial exhibition by the famous artist ‘Kiknee’ will be held. Artist Kiknee has composed short stories and touching paintings based on stories received from bereaved families, fellow firefighters, and the public. At this event, the Tving original program ‘Lifeline,’ produced in documentary form, will be screened. It depicts the psychological wounds and recovery processes firefighters face during field activities, as well as the loss, recovery, and healing processes of bereaved families of fallen firefighters. The talk concert ‘Epilogue Together’ will provide a time for bereaved families, firefighters, the director, and the National Fire Agency’s fallen duty officer featured in the documentary to share their stories. Singer Jung In-i will perform a memorial concert honoring the fallen firefighters.
Jeong Geon-il, the National Fire Agency’s Health and Safety Officer, said, “We have prepared every aspect thoroughly so that the noble sacrifice of fallen firefighters is not forgotten and can be remembered and mourned together with the public. We hope many people participate, empathize with the purpose and meaning of the event, and comfort the hearts of bereaved families and colleagues.”
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