3 individuals win LG Humanitarian awards

From left are Lee Jung-ah, Cho Yeon-je and late Seong Gong-il. Courtesy of LG Welfare Foundation

By Kim Hyun-bin

The LG Welfare Foundation gave humanitarian awards to three individuals who have helped improve society.

"The award is given to encourage righteous people who do not spare their devotion and service for their neighbors," an LG official said.

Lee Jung-ah, aged 55, began teaching underprivileged teenagers in night schools and study rooms in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, while she was a university student in 1988. In 2004, she launched a youth community organization and since 2011 has operated free meal trucks for runaway teenagers who have left home for various reasons including domestic violence. Over 6,000 teenagers have utilized the meals so far.

Additionally, Lee supports alternative housing and self-reliant living spaces for teenagers. Since last year, she has operated the trouble counseling bus to help teenagers gain the strength to overcome their difficulties on their own.

"What is more urgent than a shelter for teenagers in difficult circumstances is a community they can lean on like a family," Lee Jung-ah said.

LG also awarded the late firefighter Seong Gong-il from Gimje Fire Station and Lieutenant Cho Yeon-je of Sanam Police Station who saved citizens at the scene of a fire.

Seong died in March at the scene of a house fire in Gimje, North Jeolla Province. A couple in their 70s lived in a house that caught fire. He entered the scene alone to rescue the husband, who was unable to escape, but both lost their lives.

Cho witnessed a fire in April while taking a walk with his wife in Sacheon, South Gyeongsang Province. An elderly woman in her 80s and her son in his 60s lived in the house that caught fire, and Cho immediately broke a window and jumped into the flames to save the elderly woman. Unable to re-enter the building, He couldn't rescue the son, but the elderly mother is known to be in good health.