• Four Citizens, Including Mr. Sugianto, Who Carried Elderly Neighbors to Safety, Honored as POSCO Heroes

• Mr. Dae-heon Jeon Used His Fishing Boat to Evacuate 34 Residents

 

The POSCO TJ Park Foundation (Chairperson: In-hwa Chang) recognized four citizens as POSCO Heroes for their courageous efforts to save lives during the catastrophic wildfires that swept through North Gyeongsang Province. An award ceremony was held on April 23 at the Gyeongbuk Fire Service Headquarters, where Fire Commissioner Seong-yeol Park presented commemorative plaques and cash awards on behalf of the Foundation.

 

As one of the worst wildfire disasters in Korea's history rapidly spread across the region, threatening the lives and safety of local residents, these four individuals risked their own safety to rescue others from the advancing flames.

 

Mr. Sugianto (31), an Indonesian national, went door to door awakening sleeping residents and helping them evacuate as the wildfire approached villages near Yeongdeok. He personally carried several elderly residents with limited mobility on his back for approximately 300 meters to a nearby breakwater, where they could safely escape the fire. Mr. Sugianto came to Korea eight years ago on an employment visa and currently works as a fisherman. His wife and six-year-old son reside in Indonesia.

 

Mr. Dae-heon Jeon (52), also from Yeongdeok, used his fishing boat to evacuate 34 residents who had fled to a breakwater to escape the wildfire, transporting them safely away from danger. As the head of the Yeongdeok Marine Rescue Team, Mr. Jeon has long been actively engaged in maritime volunteer service and marine rescue activities.

 

Ms. Ok-hwa Kim (56) and Mr. Hyeong-jong Kim (48) were also selected as POSCO Heroes for their courageous actions during the emergency. They quickly alerted residents to the approaching wildfire and used their personal vehicles to help evacuate people to safety.

 

Since 2019, the POSCO TJ Park Foundation has presented the POSCO Heroes Award to public officials and ordinary citizens who have demonstrated exceptional courage and selflessness by risking themselves to protect others during emergencies and national disasters. Including this year's recipients, a total of 102 individuals have been recognized as POSCO Heroes for their exemplary service to society.