Good Neighbors Awards Kim Jin-woon, Hero Who Saved a Precious Life, the 18th Hope Hero Award

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Chunsu] The international relief and development NGO Good Neighbors announced on the 14th that it awarded the 18th Hope Hero Award to Kim Jin-woon, who witnessed a truck falling into the sea off the coast of Yeosu and jumped into the water to rescue the driver and passenger.

The 'Hope Hero' award is part of the Shinhan Hope Society Project, conducted by Good Neighbors in collaboration with Shinhan Financial Group (Chairman Cho Yong-byeong) and the Community Chest of Korea (Chairman Ye Jong-seok). It aims to support families in crisis by recognizing and rewarding heroes who help neighbors in sudden emergencies, thereby contributing to the spread of a culture of sharing.

Kim Jin-woon, who runs a fishing tackle shop near Soho Port in Yeosu, witnessed a truck that had fallen into the sea about 3 meters below the road inside Yeosu Soho Port on the morning of January 4th while heading to his fishing boat to prepare for departure to avoid an oncoming vehicle.

After witnessing the accident, Kim jumped into the sea with a nearby metal chair, broke the truck's front windshield, and rescued the driver and passenger one after another, moving them to a barge. After a fierce struggle for about 20 minutes, Kim rescued two people and then reported to 119, saving precious lives.

Kim Jin-woon said, "I thought about calling 119 and waiting for a moment, but I felt it would be too late, so I jumped in immediately," adding, "I believe anyone would have done the same if it were not me."

The award ceremony was held at the Yeosu Coast Guard Station, attended by Park Byung-ki, head of Good Neighbors Gwangju-Jeonnam Headquarters; Cha Seong-jong, head of Shinhan Bank Honam Headquarters; Lee Cheol-woo, chief of Yeosu Coast Guard Station; related officials; and the 18th Hope Hero Award recipient Kim Jin-woon.

Park Byung-ki, head of Good Neighbors Gwangju-Jeonnam Headquarters, said, "I sincerely want to express my gratitude to Hope Hero Kim Jin-woon, who saved the life of a citizen in crisis despite not being able to guarantee his own safety."

Cha Seong-jong, head of Shinhan Bank Honam Headquarters, stated, "We will continue the Hope Society Project so that more Hope Heroes who work for their neighbors can emerge in the future."