Road Restored in 15 Minutes After Unclogging 4 Drains... Incheon's 'Rubber Glove Hero'

Unclogging Four Drains Amid Torrential Rain
Kim Donghee: "I Only Wanted to Protect My Family and Neighbors"

An individual who came out wearing rubber gloves to unclog a sewer during heavy rainfall and flooding across Incheon has become a topic of discussion.

Road Restored in 15 Minutes After Unclogging 4 Drains... Incheon's 'Rubber Glove Hero'

Kim Donghee unclogging a drain at the flooded site in Galsan-dong, Bupyeong-gu, Incheon. Photo by Yonhap News

According to a Yonhap News report on the 19th, on August 13, when torrential rain hit Incheon, Kim Donghee (31), a resident of Galsan-dong, Bupyeong-gu, Incheon, struggled to unclog a sewer on a road completely submerged in muddy water, wearing rubber gloves.

CCTV footage from the scene shows Kim lifting the drain cover with his hands and tirelessly removing dirt and debris. Even though he was soaked from head to toe, with rainwater reaching up to his knees, he managed to unclog four drains.

Kim explained that he went outside after his house was flooded due to the heavy rain, and upon seeing water rising on the main road, he checked the drains. On that day, record-breaking rainfall in Incheon led to a surge in emergency calls and civil complaints, making it difficult to expect a prompt response from the fire department or local district office.

Kim first grabbed a broom from home and bought rubber gloves at a convenience store. He then used a map application to locate the drains. As expected, the drains were filled with various types of trash and dirt. Kim moved from one drain to another, unclogging them in sequence whenever he saw water swirling down, and within 15 minutes, the situation had visibly improved.

Thanks to Kim's efforts, the previously paralyzed four-lane road was restored to normal traffic. A nearby shop owner said, "As rainwater was flooding into the store, a man in black went around unclogging the drains, which was a huge help." Some shop owners also brought out dustpans to help clear away the debris Kim had removed onto the sidewalk, assisting in the cleanup effort.

In a phone interview with Yonhap News, Kim said, "I only acted to protect the safety of my family and neighbors," adding, "I'm happy that I was able to help, even if just a little."