The funeral ceremony of the firefighters who lost their lives in saving emergency patients with a fire fighting helicopter was held on December 10 at Keimyung University. Moon attended the ceremony and paid a respect to Jongpil Kim, Jeongyong Seo, Jeonghu Lee, Hyuk Bae and Danbi Park and encouraged their families. Moon honored them with Nokjo Medals and Okjo Geunjeong Medals. 

Moon said “They were sons, a daughter, fathers, husbands and friends. It is time for us to engrave those five brave fire fighters in our heart. I would like to express my deep respect and condolences.”

Moon added “The law has passed that will make all fire fighters to be government employees and I will do my best to improve welfare of fire fighters and to make sure of investigating the cause of the incidents.”

Moonho Jeong, Commissioner of the National Fire Agency, said “South Korea will remember you forever and be proud of you. We will walk the way you walked and we will take care of your beloved families.”

A colleague Sunggyu Kim said in pain “I asked your names for 40 days but you have not answered a word. I’m begging you to say something just once for your families and for us.”

Another colleague Yujin Bae said “I remember you said that you will save me first and leave the last when an accident happens…I’m missing you painfully…When we look up the sky at the hangar, please greet us in heaven.”

Moon presides over economic ministers’ meeting

President Moon presided over an economic ministers’ meeting on December 19 and discussed on economic directions for the year 2020. Among attended were Economy and Finance Minister Namki Hong and Education Minister Eunhye Yoo. Moon said “It will take time to see substantial results in reforming the economic constitution but we must work hard to create more jobs and invite more investments. So I ask you all to do your best.”

Leaders of South Korea, Japan and China meet

President Moon met Shinzo Abe and Li Keqiang at the 8th ROK-Japan-China Summit held in Cheongdu China on December 24. The three leaders praised the second consecutive years of meeting and shared the importance of regularization. They agreed complete denuclearization and permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula which will benefit all through countries in the region. 

Moon said “I reaffirmed the importance of cooperation between the three countries that have been going on for the last 20 years. We all agreed to raise the level of cooperation to the people in each country who can actually feel it. We also agreed to do our best to bring complete denuclearization and permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula through close communication and cooperation.”

Li Keqiang said “We will gather our strength to solve issues on the Korean Peninsula in accordance with the value of international order and we will bring long term stability to the peninsula.”

Shinzo Abe said “The three countries have responsibilities to make contribution to peace and prosperity in the world and the world is watching us with expectations. We all agreed to do our best for the next 10 years.”

The 9th ROK-Japan-China Summit is to be held in South Korea next year.