Hotel Employee Who Carried Person with Physical Disability to Rescue from Fire... GS Caltex Foundation Awards 'True Person Award'

The recipients of the 'GS Caltex True Person Award' and Kim Chang-su, Executive Director of the GS Caltex Foundation (third from the left), are posing for a commemorative photo. Photo by GS Caltex Foundation

The GS Caltex Foundation held the 'GS Caltex True Person Award' ceremony on the 23rd to honor citizens who contributed to creating a warm and caring society by sharing warm energy throughout the year.

The ceremony, held at GS Caltex Yeulmaru in Yeosu, Jeollanam-do, was attended by GS Caltex Foundation Executive Director Kim Chang-soo and other officials, who presented plaques and prize money to the awardees.

The GS Caltex True Person Award was established in 2020 to build a sustainable local community. It is awarded to individuals and organizations in the Yeosu, Suncheon, and Gwangyang areas who risk their lives and safety to help others, contribute to accident prevention, or perform exemplary acts of kindness that serve as a model for society.

The first recipient was Lee Tae-gyu, who in 2021 jumped into the sea from Dolsan Bridge to rescue a person who had fallen into the water.

This year’s GS Caltex True Person Award selected five recipients, including rescuers of disabled persons affected by fire, considering factors such as the danger at the rescue site, the level of risk to the rescued individuals, the speed and effectiveness of the rescue, and the degree to which the act serves as a social example.

First, Nam Woo-chang and Bang Min-tae, employees of Sono Calm Hotel in Yeosu, rescued a physically disabled person with limited mobility by carrying them on their backs and evacuating from the 5th floor to the 1st floor via stairs after a fire broke out in the outdoor unit of their apartment on July 5.

Yang Seo-woo, a judo team athlete from Suncheon City Hall, risked his life by jumping into the sea to rescue a 78-year-old senior swept away by sudden rip currents at Mallipo Beach in Taean, Chungnam, on August 5.

Joo Young-chan, head of the life rescue and emergency medical team at Yeosu Fire Station, found a 70-year-old senior who had lost consciousness due to airway obstruction at a bathhouse in Gagok-dong, Suncheon, on January 24 while off duty. He performed appropriate emergency measures such as inducing vomiting and full-body massage before handing the person over to the 119 emergency medical team, saving their life.

Captain Kim Dong-jin contributed to preventing a major accident that could have resulted in loss of property and life by completely extinguishing a fire on another vessel near Geogeumdo, Goheung County, on August 7, using a fire extinguisher he had on board.

A GS Caltex Foundation official said, "The courageous actions shown in moments of crisis saved precious neighbors’ lives and contributed to making our society a warm and caring place. We will continue to actively discover and regularly hold award ceremonies for those who embody the spirit of the GS Caltex True Person Award."

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