Hope Bridge and the National Fire Agency Present the "119 Hero Award" to Ten Citizen Heroes
Ten heroes who received the 2025 119 Hero Award are taking a commemorative photo together. Hope Bridge
Hope Bridge Korea Disaster Relief Association (Chairman Lim Chaecheong) and the National Fire Agency announced on December 3 that they have presented the "2025 119 Hero Award" to ten citizen heroes who risked their lives to save others at disaster and accident scenes.
The "119 Hero Award" has been presented by the National Fire Agency since 2018 to honor the courageous actions of citizens who have saved others' lives at disaster and accident sites. In order to discover more righteous citizens and enhance recognition, Hope Bridge officially joined as a partner starting this year.
At the award ceremony held at the Korea Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul, recipients were honored with a commendation from the Commissioner of the National Fire Agency, a plaque of appreciation from Hope Bridge, and a prize of 2 million won, in recognition of their courage and spirit of sacrifice demonstrated at disaster sites.
The ten awardees recognized on this day are: Jin Gangseop, who rescued two students swept away by the rapid currents of the Hongcheon River; Lim Jihoon, who saved a woman who had fallen into an open manhole during heavy rain; Jang Boksu, who rescued a son after discovering a mother and child who had fallen into a 2-meter-deep valley; Park Jinju and Yoo Junhee, who rescued a family of four from an overturned vehicle beside a collapsed road; Kim Geunwoo, who evacuated 20 elderly residents with mobility difficulties from a village isolated by a large wildfire; Hwang Woojin, who extinguished a car fire in an apartment underground parking lot with a fire extinguisher; Kim Jinseok and Park Hyunkyung, who saved the life of a cardiac arrest patient; and Kim Gijeong, who prevented vehicles from entering a flooded underpass and evacuated a taxi passenger who was trapped.
Kim Seungryong, Acting Commissioner of the National Fire Agency, stated, "It is these unsung heroes, who step up for their neighbors even in the face of various dangers, that safeguard the safety of our society," and added, "I would like to once again express my deep gratitude to these heroes who have saved lives."
Shin Hoon, Secretary-General of Hope Bridge, said, "These heroes have shown through their actions that we are a community that never turns away when our neighbors are in danger," and emphasized, "We will work closely with the National Fire Agency to ensure that the courage and spirit of these heroes take firm root throughout our society."
Since 2012, Hope Bridge has maintained a cooperative relationship with the National Fire Agency. The organization has carried out various initiatives to improve the perception and treatment of firefighters, such as the "National Heroes" campaign and the "I Am a Firefighter" campaign.
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