Can an Undocumented Immigrant Who Saved 10 People from a Fire Become a Victim of Injury?

Ali, an undocumented Kazakhstani national,
Evacuated about 10 residents after discovering a fire
Posts requesting designation as a casualty continue to be posted
Ministry of Justice: "Permanent residency can be granted only if acquisition requirements are met"
Yangyang County plans to apply for casualty designation

Ali (28), originally from Kazakhstan, who sustained burns while evacuating residents and conducting rescue operations at a fire in a three-story one-room apartment in Yangyang-gun, Gangwon, on the 23rd of last month, while staying as an undocumented immigrant. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suwan] It was recently revealed that a foreigner from Kazakhstan rescued about 10 people from a fire scene. However, it was discovered that the foreigner is an undocumented immigrant and is scheduled to leave the country on the 1st of next month, prompting calls for assistance. In particular, some are arguing that he should be designated as a person of merit and granted permanent residency.

On the 16th, a recommendation post titled "Please designate the undocumented foreign worker who saved precious lives at the fire scene as a person of merit" was uploaded to the Gangwon Provincial Government's Civil Petition Newspaper. The story was posted by Jang Seonok, vice principal of Sonyang Elementary School in Yangyang.

Currently, the military free bulletin board is filled with posts such as "Please recognize Mr. Ali as a person of merit," "Help Mr. Ali," and "Help Mr. Ali who saved about 10 residents of Yangyang County from the fire."

A person of merit refers to someone who dies or is injured while risking their own life and body to save the life or body of another person in danger outside of their official duties. If designated as a person of merit, they can receive minimum benefits such as compensation and medical care.

Earlier, on the 23rd of last month, Ali (28), a Kazakhstani worker, discovered a fire on the third floor as he was about to enter his one-room apartment in Yangyang County, Gangwon Province, at 11:22 p.m., and evacuated about 10 residents.

During this process, Ali noticed a woman on the second floor who could not evacuate. While descending from the rooftop by climbing down a gas pipe, he suffered second- to third-degree burns on his neck and hands.

Ali is known to have entered the country on a tourist visa in 2017 and has been moving between rented rooms, supporting his family back home with money earned from construction sites and other jobs.

Currently, Ali has voluntarily reported his undocumented status to the Ministry of Justice and must leave Korea on the 1st of next month.

Given the situation, Vice Principal Jang and residents collected about 7 million won to help with his treatment. They also requested Yangyang County to designate Ali as a person of merit and provide assistance.

Citizens who heard the story expressed support, saying, "He risked his life to save others; I hope the government helps him," and "Please allow him to stay."

A 27-year-old office worker A, who said he heard Ali's story, said, "Not just anyone can do that. I was very moved," adding, "People like this should be rewarded." He continued, "I remember similar cases before. At that time, the person of merit was granted permanent residency as well," and added, "I hope Ali receives such benefits too."

Housewife B (56) also said, "He is a hero who risked his life to save many people. I think the government should fully support his medical expenses," and raised her voice, saying, "Proper treatment for such righteous actions is necessary."

In 2017, Nimal (41), a Sri Lankan national who was an undocumented immigrant, rescued a woman in her 90s at a fire scene in Gunwi-gun, Gyeongbuk, and was granted permanent residency along with recognition as a person of merit./Photo by Yonhap News

Previously, in 2017, Nimal (41), a Sri Lankan undocumented immigrant, was recognized as a person of merit and granted permanent residency after saving a woman in her 90s from a fire in Gunwi County, Gyeongbuk Province.

In June of the same year, the Ministry of Health and Welfare recognized Nimal as a person of merit, the first undocumented foreigner to receive such recognition. He also received the 'LG Hero Award' from the LG Welfare Foundation, the first foreigner to do so.

At that time, Nimal entered Korea in 2011 with a non-professional employment (E-9) visa, and his stay expired in July 2016, making him an undocumented immigrant. However, he was granted permanent residency in Korea in 2018 in recognition of his contributions.

Article 12 of the Enforcement Decree of the Immigration Control Act states that permanent residency is granted to those who have made significant contributions to protecting the lives and property of citizens.

In Paris, France, an African young man who climbed a building wall with his bare hands to rescue a 4-year-old child hanging from a fifth-floor balcony was granted citizenship and a job.

In 2018, CNN reported, "French President Emmanuel Macron praised the courageous act of Mamoudou Gassama, an undocumented immigrant from Mali who came to France last year, and decided to grant him Paris citizenship and a job with the fire department."

At that time, when it was revealed that Gassama was an undocumented immigrant, public opinion called for granting him residency in Paris.

A Ministry of Justice official told Asia Economy, "Granting permanent residency requires not only social consent but also meeting acquisition requirements," adding, "There are many conditions such as financial capability and contribution. Some conditions can be waived depending on the situation, but permanent residency is never granted immediately."

Meanwhile, Yangyang County is reportedly planning to prepare the necessary documents on its own authority and apply to the Ministry of Health and Welfare for Ali's designation as a person of merit.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.