LG awards three individuals who helped people in need

From left are Lee Yae-bun, Lee Eun-pil and Choi In-chan. / Courtesy of LG Welfare Foundation

By Kim Hyun-bin

LG Welfare Foundation awarded the LG Humanitarian Award to three individuals who helped people in need, Tuesday. One of the recipients is Lee Yae-bun, 54, who obtained her beautician qualification in 1995 at age 26. Encouraged by her elder brother, a pastor, she began providing beauty services at a children's welfare facility in Ilsan, Gyeonggi Province. She provided her services to less fortunate neighbors for 28 years.

Currently, Lee regularly visits two local children's centers and two nursing homes in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, assisting about 60 people with their haircuts each month. She also personally visits the homes of some elderly and disabled individuals at least once a month to provide her services.

"Having grown up observing my parents' lifelong dedication to volunteer work, it has become a part of my daily life rather than a special event. If there are people who need my 'scissorhands' in the future, I will continue my volunteer activities," Lee said.

LG also awarded the LG Humanitarian Award to two other individuals. One is Lee Eun-pil, 37, who rescued four people from the site of a traffic accident by breaking through flames. The accident occurred on the Cheonan-Nonsan Expressway in South Chungcheong Province last month. Despite sustaining injuries to his leg during the rescue, Lee managed to save some passengers trapped in the burning vehicles.

The other recipient is Choi In-chan, 62, who rescued an elementary school student on the coast of Jeju Island last month. Despite suffering from myocardial infarction and spinal stenosis, Choi jumped into the water and rescued the child, who was clinging to a rope connected to a boat anchored not far from the shore.

The LG Humanitarian Award was established in 2015, reflecting the late Chairman Koo Bon-moo's belief that companies should repay the social responsibility of individuals who sacrifice themselves for social justice. Since Chairman Koo Kwang-mo took office in 2018, the award has been expanded to include ordinary members of the public who have quietly served and performed good deeds for others throughout society. Up to now, a total of 197 people have received the LG Humanitarian Award.