Died After Rescuing Child from Water
Memorial Project and National Funding Application for Righteous Person
"Here lies the noble spirit of love and sacrifice, a sublime example of humanity. On May 18, 1977, Jeon Suaak, abandoning her market basket, rushed in to save a child drowning in the river, sacrificing her own life in the blue waters of Ungokcheon. Her sacred spirit will forever shine as an eternal torch for generations to come." (Inscription on the memorial stone)
Uiryeong County in Gyeongnam has completed the memorial for the late Jeon Suaak, who lost her life after saving a child from drowning but was unable to escape herself. On the 28th, the county announced that the memorial space has been finalized with the installation of a facial relief and a commemorative wall.
The memorial stone for the late Mrs. Jeon Suak, her eldest son Yeosangho, and his wife Lee Hyejung. [Image courtesy of Uiryeong County]
On May 18, 1977, Jeon witnessed two first-grade elementary students being swept away by a strong current while playing in Ungokcheon, Yongdeok-myeon, Uiryeong County.
At the time, Jeon Suaak was 32 years old and a mother of one son and three daughters. On her way back from the market in Uiryeong, she heard screams and, without hesitation, jumped into the water. She managed to rescue one child but was swept away by the current while trying to save the other and lost her life.
The funeral was held with deep condolences from local officials, students, and residents. The memorial for Jeon Suaak was erected at Yongdeok Elementary School, and the atmosphere of remembrance grew. However, over the years, the memorial became rusty, and after a wall was built around the school, it became obscured from view. People could only guess from a distance that it was a "Shin Saimdang statue," and Jeon Suaak gradually faded from memory.
County Governor Oh Taewan, during a veterans' policy briefing, emphasized, "Jeon Suaak is a model of dedication and sacrifice. We must not neglect Uiryeong County's only righteous person. We need to establish proper honors befitting the land of loyalty and righteousness."
Uiryeong County was selected for a memorial project for righteous persons, which provides 3 million won per person. This month, with national funding, the county completed the installation of a facial relief and commemorative wall.
Residents of Yongdeok-myeon welcomed the promotion of the memorial project for Jeon Suaak.
Although the project was initially excluded due to the existing memorial, the Ministry of Health and Welfare agreed to Uiryeong County's intention to newly renovate the memorial in a more frequented location to honor Jeon's noble sacrifice, leading to national funding support.
Meanwhile, Ha Jongsung, team leader of the Social Welfare Division, recalled that during his service in Yongdeok-myeon in 2006, Jeon Suaak was recognized as a righteous person, and her family received consolation through compensation and medical benefits.
When the memorial was first built in December 1977, Yongdeok-myeon residents held a fundraising campaign, expressing their sorrow over the accident and remembering Jeon as a person of upright conduct and character.
At the Yongdeok-myeon residents' sports day on the 10th, Kim Sunyeon (77), a friend of the same age, reminisced, "She was truly, truly a kind person. A good friend, a good parent, and a good neighbor. She used to do laundry for neighbors at the Saemi (laundry place) and even nursed her parents-in-law's boils with her mouth. That was Suaak."
Lee Haesu (67) said, "When heavy rain filled the stream in front of the village, she would carry each student on her back to and from school. People used to say she was so kind that her life would be short. She lost her mother at age ten and lived a lonely life, and just as she was finally able to live happily with her children, this tragedy occurred," expressing deep sorrow.
Jeon's children repeatedly expressed their gratitude to Uiryeong County and the residents of Yongdeok-myeon.
The eldest son, Yeo Sangho (55), said, "I am so happy to be able to see my mother's face like this. I thought she had been forgotten, but I am truly grateful for the beautiful renovation. Like my mother, I will live my life helping others, not only in Yongdeok but wherever I go."
The eldest daughter, Yeo Kyunghwa (57), said, "I used to resent my proud mother, but in truth, I only missed her, and today I miss her even more. I am moved to tears that you remember and honor my beautiful mother like this."
Jeon (55), who was one of the students rescued at the time, told Uiryeong County in a phone call, "I am so sorry for causing lifelong pain to the bereaved family. I can never repay the kindness of the deceased, but I will live diligently, serve others, and remember her. I am especially grateful to Uiryeong County for their efforts in designating her as a righteous person."
Meanwhile, 47 years after the incident, most county residents who have learned about Jeon Suaak's story have expressed their respect and remembrance, saying, "It's strange that this hasn't been known until now. She truly deserves to be honored," "I will definitely pay my respects when I visit Yongdeok-myeon," and "Following Grandma Gong Doyeon, there was another righteous person in Uiryeong County."
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