Family of Changsik Koo selected as ‘POSCO Heroes’ for saving 18 neighbors from a huge fire at a multipurpose housing building in Ulsan

 

 

Changsik Koo (center), his wife Hyunsuk Chang (left), and their son Moseon, the ‘family at unit 2802’ who saved neighbors from a multipurpose housing building with dedication, are sitting in the lobby of their temporary housing on the 11th.  POSCO TJ Park Foundation selected Koo as ‘POSCO Heroes’ on the 14th.  The Koo family plans to donate the entire scholarship rewarded by the Foundation.

 

“I wasn’t looking for a compensation.  I want to use (scholarship) for the neighbors in need.”

 

Changsik Koo (51), the ‘hero at unit 2802’ who helped saving 18 neighbors from a large fire at Samhwan Art Nouveau in Ulsan on the 8th, was selected as ‘POSCO Heroes’ by POSCO TJ Park Foundation.  Koo said “I couldn’t decide whether to accept it or not,’ and expressed his intention to donate the entire scholarship rewarded by the Foundation.

 

Foundation stated on the 14th that “the Koo family saved neighbors from a critical fire without taking care of themselves.  We selected Koo for ‘POSCO Heroes’ as the representative as they set an example for the society.”

 

Established in 2009, POSCO Heroes selects and supports those who dedicate themselves for the country and social justice.  This program provides scholarship, so the recipient or his/her children can continue the study stably.  Total 13 recipients received the reward until now, including Koo.  Foundation will be visiting the temporary housing for the Koo family in Nam-gu, Ulsan on the 16th to present the award and scholarship.

 

According to the fellowship regulations, Koo’s daughter who is enrolled in a university will be receiving the scholarship, but the Koo family decided not to use it for the family.  Koo’s wife, Hyunsuk Chang (50) said on the phone conversation with Dong-A Ilbo on the 14th that “we were hesitant to accept the scholarship because we weren’t looking for a compensation,” and “we thought about refusing it, but thought that it wasn’t appropriate either.  We are going to accept it, and donate everything.”

 

The daughter, who is the recipient of scholarship, also agreed gladly.  Chang said “she agreed as if it was a natural thing to do.  If there is any financial support of any means in the future, we will spend it for the neighbors who are in more need than us.”
 

At the time of fire, Koo, Chang, and their son Moseon (25) played small and big roles in saving 18 neighbors who could not evacuate, while evacuating from their unit on the 28th floor.  Koo found a pregnant woman who was crying for help with a baby in the terrace on the 29th floor, and climbed up the ladder, broke the railing with bare hands and evacuated them.  This family also caught a family of 4, who jumped from 30th floor, with a blanket.  They also informed the firefighters at the scene about neighbors on the 27th and 33rd floors being isolated to help save them.

 

Foundation staff stated that “they did not spare themselves in the midst of a chaos where sparks were dropping everywhere,” and “they came to the fire department first before hospital when they reached the ground to ask for the neighbors’ status.  This was the true sense of sacrifice and duty.”

 

After the Koo family’s righteous action was reported through Dong-A Ilbo (October 13, page A1), it led to praises from people of all levels of society.  Prime Minister Sye-kyun Chung also called Koo on the 13th to express gratitude on behalf of the government.  Prime Minister Chung said on his Facebook page that “I was touched by the beautiful story of the Koo Family,” and “I will look for ways to expressed the government’s gratitude.”

 

 ‘Ulsan Family’ who saved 18 people from fire, “donates the entire scholarship rewarded to the daughter”

 

 

Changsik Koo and his family, the ‘hero at unit 2802’ who saved 18 neighbors from a fire at a multipurpose housing building in Ulsan, is receiving ‘POSCO Heroes’ plaque presented by POSCO TJ Park Foundation on the 16th at their temporary housing in Nam-gu, Ulsan.

 

“We will use it for a meaningful purpose as there are many people who need help.”
 

Changsik Koo (51), the ‘hero at unit 2802’ who saved 18 neighbors from a fire at Samhwan Art Nouveau Apartments in Nam-gu, Ulsan on the 8th, was selected for ‘POSCO Heroes’ by POSCO TJ Park Foundation and said on the 16th as he received the plaque and scholarship at the lobby of the hotel he and his family are staying as their temporary housing.  Koo said “my daughter works a part-time job to make money for her tuition.  But still, we weren’t looking for a compensation, so we want to use it for others who are in more need.”

 

At the time of fire, Koo, his wife Hyunsuk Chang (50) and their son Moseon (25) saved a pregnant woman who was crying for help with a baby in the terrace on the 29th floor, while evacuating from their home on the 28th floor, and saved a family of 4 who jumped off from 6m height by catching them with a blanket, saving total of 18 neighbors.

 

After the Koo family’s dedication was reported on Dong-A Ilbo (October 13, page A1), the Foundation held a morning meeting and selected Koo as the recipient. Established in 2009, POSCO Heroes selects and supports those who dedicate themselves for the country and social justice.  This program provides scholarship, so the recipient or his/her children can continue the study stably. Total 13 recipients received the reward until now, including Koo.