By Yoon Won-sup
Staff Reporter
Chinese President Hu Jintao has instructed his government to closely cooperate with Korea with regards to the Chinese people who were victims of a fire in a warehouse in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province.
On hearing of Monday's fire, Hu asked the relevant authorities to look to the needs of survivors and fatalities, and to facilitate their relatives visit to Korea. So far, 12 Chinese have been identified among the dead, with one survivor.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry asked the Korean government to do its best in aiding the victim's families.
Chen Junjie, the spokesman of the Chinese Embassy in Seoul, said, ``President Hu ordered relevant organizations to take all possible measures regarding the fire accident. It is an internal instruction.''
However, Chen refused to elaborate.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo Wednesday instructed the Cabinet to conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the fire, which killed 40 people and injured 10 others.
Han also stressed that those responsible for the fire will face stern punishment.
``We should take this accident as an opportunity to check the nation's safety systems,'' Han said. ``It is questionable whether state regulations and guidelines for the safety of public facilities and construction sites have been observed.''
The prime minister also instructed relevant government offices such as the justice and foreign affairs ministries to do their utmost to help deal with the aftermath of the tragedy with regard to funerals, compensation and identification of the dead.
Han visited the warehouse and delivered his condolences to victims' family members.