7 Deaths Cited for Noble Causes
By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter
Young people are often portrayed to be brave and reckless. Apparently this dual characteristic contributes to the fact that they are the first to save people in distress and, as a result, constitute the largest portion of deaths and injuries caused in the course of doing so.
A report by the Health and Welfare Ministry says about 72 percent of those who suffered "righteous deaths or injury" are young people aged 40 or below.
More specifically, men accounted for 95 percent. They are aged between 21 and 30. Most of them are students.
About 76 percent of such deaths took place, while trying to save people from accidents such as drowning or from crimes.
"People of today are often seen as being selfish. This report shows the contrary, meaning people still care for each other especially when someone's in distress," a ministry spokesman said during a briefing.
The statistic was compiled as part of efforts by the ministry to commend and compensate those who suffer in the process of helping others.
The report cited some cases.
On Feb. 28, 27-year-old Yang Seok-won was casting fishing nets into the sea off the coast of Tongyeong, South Gyeongsang Province, when one of his coworkers got his feet stuck in the net and fell overboard.
Yang immediately dived to rescue him. His coworker was saved but Yang was caught in strong currents and drowned.
Seventeen-year-old Kim Tae-han was swimming near a riverside in Gwangyang, South Jeolla Province, on Aug. 15. One of his friends was drowning so he swam to his rescue. In the process, he lost his own life.
The ministry acknowledges those who die or get injured while volunteering for a noble cause, by providing monetary compensation of up to 197 million won.
This year, the government has acknowledged seven such deaths and injuries suffered by 10 other people while helping others.