Gwangju Citizen Awarded for Emergency Aid to Elderly Man Who Collapsed Despite COVID-19 Infection Concerns

Gwangju City Awards Kim Jisoo with 'Righteous Citizen' Commendation

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Despite rising concerns about respiratory infections from COVID-19, a Gwangju citizen who discovered an elderly man collapsed and did not hesitate to perform emergency procedures such as artificial respiration received a commendation as a righteous citizen.

On the 10th, Gwangju Metropolitan City announced that it awarded a plaque of commendation to Kim Jisoo (42), who was selected as a righteous citizen, and expressed its gratitude.

On February 8th at around 4 p.m., Kim stopped by the first-floor restroom of Gwangju City Hall and found an elderly man collapsed on the floor with blood flowing from his head.

At the time of discovery, the elderly man's complexion had turned dark, his tongue was rolled back into his throat preventing him from breathing on his own, and his pulse was weak and intermittent.

Kim immediately called for help, loosened the elderly man's necktie, tilted his head back to secure the airway, and performed artificial respiration and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) until the 119 rescue team arrived. After arriving on the scene, the 119 rescue team continued artificial respiration and CPR, checked the heart, and then transported the elderly man to the hospital.

Despite the global rapid spread of COVID-19 and heightened concerns about respiratory infections, Kim’s action of performing artificial respiration without hesitation to save a precious life deeply moved the citizens.

Kim, who works at the Korea Water Resources Corporation Jeonnam Regional Cooperation Team, was recognized for risking his own safety in an emergency situation and practicing the righteous spirit of Gwangju, becoming the third ‘Righteous Citizen’ selected this year.

Kim said, “It was such a natural and obvious thing to do,” and added, “Isn’t the DNA of practicing righteousness inherently embedded in us Gwangju citizens?”

Mayor Lee Yong-seop said, “I am very pleased to confirm that the spirit of Gwangju practicing righteousness in daily life is stronger than COVID-19,” and added, “I thank Kim Jisoo for reminding us once again that the essence of the Gwangju spirit is alive, and I hope all citizens will practice the Gwangju spirit.”

Meanwhile, the Righteous Citizen Award is a policy started in 2019 to discover and commend citizens who risk their own safety to save others’ lives and to spread the righteousness (義) of Gwangju.

Any Gwangju citizen can find and recommend someone who has performed a righteous act in their neighborhood or surroundings. To recommend, visit the city’s website, click on the ‘Direct Communication Gwangju - Righteous Citizen’ section, and write and post the main achievements.

If the recommendation receives support from more than 50 citizens within 90 days of registration, it undergoes a merit review and final selection.

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