Police Agency and BGF Retail Select 3 People Including Rescuers of Changnyeong Child Abuse Case as 'Citizen Heroes'

'Visiting Child Safety Citizen Award' Ceremony Held
Mr. Gu Chang-sik Saved 18 Including Pregnant Women and Children at Ulsan Fire Scene
Mr. Jo Man-ho Saved 9 Children at School Bus Fall Accident Site
"A Society Where Children Are Loved and Can Smile" Foundation

Mr. Gu Chang-sik (center), who rescued 18 neighbors at the mixed-use apartment fire scene in Ulsan this October. Photo by the National Police Agency

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] The National Police Agency and BGF Retail announced on the 20th that they held the 'Visiting Child Safety Citizen Award' ceremony.

Marking its second year, the Child Safety Citizen Award was scaled down this year in consideration of the COVID-19 pandemic situation, and officials from the police and BGF Retail visited the awardees in person over two days from the 17th to the 18th.

The Child Safety Citizen Award was initiated last year when the two organizations signed an agreement to encourage community interest in child safety and promote voluntary participation by awarding outstanding contributors to child safety activities.

In this year's awards, Mr. Gu Chang-sik, Mr. Jo Man-ho, and a rescuer of an abused child in Changnyeong, Gyeongnam, were selected as 'Citizen Heroes.'

Mr. Gu saved a total of 18 neighbors, including pregnant women and children, at the site of a large fire in a mixed-use apartment complex in Ulsan in October this year. Despite his own home being completely burned down, he caught residents jumping down with a blanket and broke a railing with his body to rescue them.

Mr. Jo immediately jumped into action upon discovering a daycare center shuttle bus had crashed under a bridge in a traffic accident and rescued nine children. Thanks to Mr. Jo's efforts, all children had been rescued by the time the 119 rescue team arrived.

Mr. Jo Man-ho (right), who witnessed the daycare center shuttle bus fall accident and rescued 9 children at the scene. / Photo by National Police Agency

The rescuer of the abused child in Changnyeong was the first to discover the abused child, raising awareness of child abuse in our society. The rescuer, along with the CU convenience store owner, took care of the child's meals and treated the wounds. However, to protect the abused child, the real name of the rescuer who reported the child abuse has not been disclosed. He emphasized, "I only did what was natural, but I am grateful to receive this award," and "I hope anyone who suspects child abuse will actively pay attention."

The National Police Agency is collaborating with the convenience store industry to designate convenience store operators and workers as child abuse reporting agents to promote reporting and proactive prevention activities. They are also encouraging active reporting by establishing an emergency child abuse reporting system within payment terminals.

BGF Retail has been operating the missing prevention system ‘iCU’ since 2017, which protects lost children at CU convenience stores nationwide and hands them over to the police and guardians. So far, it has found and prevented missing incidents involving more than 80 children.

Kim Chang-ryong, Commissioner of the National Police Agency, said, “The warm influence shown by the awardees will serve as a foundation for many people to take an interest in child safety,” and added, “The police will continue to actively discover and reward contributors to child safety activities to create a society where children are loved and can smile.”

Lee Geon-jun, CEO of BGF Retail, said, “The courageous actions shown by the awardees will be a small light that shines on the dreams and hopes of our children and a driving force that brightens the Republic of Korea,” and added, “Our company will also faithfully perform its role as a child safety platform and always be a friendly company in the local community.”

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