[Herald Economy reporter Cha Min-ju] 50 days after the fire at Anjeon Industry in Daejeon, a memorial service was held for the victims. Organizers said the event aimed to share the families’ grief and honor the Anjeon Industry workers who died in the accident.According to Daejeon City and Yonhap News, the service took place on the 9th at Munpyeong Park in Daedeok District for victims of the Anjeon Industry fire, which resulted in 74 casualties.
Munpyeong Park is located near Anjeon Industry. Officials said the victims used the park during their commutes and for breaks. On the 7th, Daejeon City and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety moved the joint mourning altar from Daejeon City Hall to the park. They plan to keep the altar open only through the memorial, which marks the conclusion of the 49th-day rites for the deceased.
The fire produced 74 casualties in total. 14 workers were killed, and 50 coworkers were injured, with injuries ranging from minor to severe.
The program included eulogies, incense and floral offerings, readings of condolence letters, memorial performances, and the farewell of spirit tablets. About 300 people attended, including bereaved family members and officials from Daejeon City and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety. Staff from the Chungcheong Trauma Center at the National Gongju Hospital (Ministry of Health and Welfare) also offered comfort to the families.
Family members reportedly wept and said their final goodbyes at the site. Yonhap News reported that an elderly mother who lost her son broke down in tears when she saw his spirit tablet.
Another mother who lost her son said, “I never got to hear your voice or touch you... You suffered so much. Goodbye.”
An elementary-school–aged child of one of the victims stroked his father’s tablet and whispered, “Goodbye, Dad.”
In a condolence letter, a nephew told his uncle, “Don’t do hard work there—rest peacefully. Really, don’t do hard work there. I was happy to be your nephew. I love you.”
Another victim’s daughter wrote, “Please come to me in my dreams often. I miss you so much. I’ll hold on to the happy memories with Dad for a long time. I love you.”
Kim Han-su, disaster field support officer at the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, said the government extends its condolences and will continue working to determine the exact cause of the accident and carry out follow-up measures. He added that officials will build a memorial near the victims’ workplace as soon as possible and will remember the tears of the families left behind.
