Lee Min-keun, the mayor of Ansan, expressed gratitude on October 30 for the courageous actions of two high school students who helped an elderly neighbor in distress. He thanked them for not ignoring the elderly person in danger and for stepping in to provide assistance.
During the ceremony, Mayor Lee awarded model citizen certificates to Jeon Cheon-ha from Gyeongan High School and Jeong In-gyeom from Sangnok High School for their role in ensuring the safety of an elderly person whose electric wheelchair had run out of battery in the middle of the road.
The mayor emphasized that the recognition highlights the importance of civic responsibility and voluntary participation in maintaining community safety.
The two students discovered the elderly individual stranded in the middle of the road at 4:50 PM on September 23 while returning home from school. The situation was precarious, with ongoing traffic, including buses, posing a risk of serious accidents.
They quickly checked the contact information for a repair service attached to the wheelchair and requested help. To prevent any accidents, they moved the elderly person and the wheelchair to a safe area on the sidewalk.
Afterward, they handed over the situation to responding police officers, further ensuring the elderly person's safety. Mayor Lee praised the students for their proactive assistance in a dangerous situation.
This incident exemplifies the values of citizen-centered administration, safety in daily life, and mutual care among neighbors, which the mayor advocates. He noted that both institutional support and individual attention and action from citizens are crucial for strengthening community safety nets.
Local residents have responded positively to the students' actions. One citizen remarked, "The students who helped the elderly in a dangerous situation are truly commendable. This is a rare and heartwarming story these days," adding that recognizing such acts with awards sets a good example for youth.
Another citizen stated, "A safe city is not created solely by the efforts of administrative agencies but is completed when citizens look out for and help each other," expressing hope that this incident will foster a culture of caring for neighbors throughout Ansan.
Mayor Lee concluded by stating, "I will continue to work towards spreading a culture of caring for one another and helping those in need within our community." He plans to encourage voluntary acts of kindness and foster a warm, safe community where citizens actively participate.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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