President Lee Jae-myung on the 12th ordered officials to "mobilize all available resources for accident response and lifesaving" in connection with the fire at a frozen-storage warehouse in Wando, South Jeolla.
Kang Yu-jung, the senior presidential spokesperson, said the president gave the instructions after receiving a briefing on the situation. The president said, "Above all, human life comes first," and added, "Spare no effort to rescue people, ensure the safety of rescue personnel, and prevent further accidents."
Earlier, at about 8:25 a.m. on the same day, a fire broke out at a frozen-storage warehouse in Wondong-ri, Wando, South Jeolla. During firefighting operations, one rescue worker and one firefighter went missing. Both were reported dead.