Rescuer Who Saved Citizens in Heavy Rain Receives 'Gwangju City Heroic Citizen Award'

Gwangju City has decided to award the 'Gwangju Metropolitan City Heroic Citizen Award' to Choi Seung-il (54), who saved a citizen being swept away in floodwaters during record-breaking heavy rain.

On the 21st, Gwangju City announced this decision and is currently in the process of relevant procedures.

Choi, who operates an auto repair shop in Sotae-dong, Dong-gu, rescued a man in his 60s, identified as A, who had been swept away in a torrent during the record rainfall (426.4mm) in Gwangju on the 17th.

At about 5 PM that day, the sloping road in front of the repair shop had transformed into a valley due to the torrential rain.

While attempting to stack sandbags, Choi turned around and spotted A being carried away by the powerful current. A was trapped in a situation where his foot was caught between the asphalt torn away by the flood.

Choi immediately approached A, but initially faced difficulties in the rescue. Seeing that A was unable to breathe properly, he used a wooden plank to redirect the flow of water.

Risky Rescue and Unexpected Connection

During the rescue process, there was a dangerous moment when a passenger car was swept down from above, but thankfully, Choi's colleagues at the repair shop helped prevent any additional accidents. After about 20 minutes of battling the current, Choi successfully rescued A.

An unexpected connection was revealed afterward. The A whom Choi saved was an instructor at a driving school run by an acquaintance and lived right next door to the repair shop.

Choi expressed his feelings, saying, "I wondered if this was fate." To show gratitude, the representative of the driving school sent three watermelons to Choi's repair shop on the 19th.

Choi stated, "Later, I found out he was an employee of an acquaintance's company. The company president sent three watermelons."

During the rescue, Choi suffered bruises from rocks and bottles swept by the current and also caught a cold, for which he received medical treatment.

Nevertheless, Choi remarked, "If such an incident were to happen again, I think I would jump into the water just the same," adding, "I am really grateful and proud of my colleagues who helped with the rescue."

Image source: Provided by Choi Seung-il, YTN