By Kim Hyun-bin
The LG Foundation has granted a posthumous humanitarian award to Chung Ho-jong, a corporal in the Coast Guard for his bravery after he gave his life to save two divers that were stranded in a cave by strong waves.
Corporal Chung lost his life while trying to save the divers earlier this month.
He was stationed at Tongyeong Coast Guard Station that received a call, June 6, that two divers were stranded in a cave cut off by the high tide. He was immediately dispatched to the scene. Corporal Chung and his crew tried to throw ropes into the cave, but failed due to the current and the small entrance to the cave made it difficult to reach the divers.
The rescue crew had to enter the water and physically connect the ropes and while the operation was underway Chung became stranded within the cave. He was in the water for over nine hours and showed signs of exhaustion before he was taken by a strong wave and swept out into the open sea.
Chung's body was found the following morning.
Through his brave sacrifice the crew was able to save the two stranded divers.
He had only two years' experience under his belt, but even as a trainee, many described him as a person with a strong sense of honor.
"My dream is to become a coastguard who brings miracles to people," Chung said as a trainee. "I want to learn and physically train so that my own two hands can be utilized to rescue people in need."
"Even in an emergency situation that did not guarantee his own safety, Chung jumped into the water to save people's lives. We have decided to give this award for his sense of duty and spirit of sacrifice so that society can remember him for years to come," the LG Foundation said.
The LG Foundation has granted a posthumous humanitarian award to Chung Ho-jong, a corporal in the Coast Guard for his bravery after he gave his life to save two divers that were stranded in a cave by strong waves.
Corporal Chung lost his life while trying to save the divers earlier this month.
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Corporal Chung Ho-jong |
The rescue crew had to enter the water and physically connect the ropes and while the operation was underway Chung became stranded within the cave. He was in the water for over nine hours and showed signs of exhaustion before he was taken by a strong wave and swept out into the open sea.
Chung's body was found the following morning.
Through his brave sacrifice the crew was able to save the two stranded divers.
He had only two years' experience under his belt, but even as a trainee, many described him as a person with a strong sense of honor.
"My dream is to become a coastguard who brings miracles to people," Chung said as a trainee. "I want to learn and physically train so that my own two hands can be utilized to rescue people in need."
"Even in an emergency situation that did not guarantee his own safety, Chung jumped into the water to save people's lives. We have decided to give this award for his sense of duty and spirit of sacrifice so that society can remember him for years to come," the LG Foundation said.