17-Year-Old Seriously Injured While Trying to Save "Gwangju High School Girl" Nominated for Righteous Person Status

Stabbed and Seriously Injured While Helping the Victim
Gwangsan District Submits Investigation and Medical Documents to Ministry of Health and Welfare
Family of Lee Chaewon Reveals Her Name and Face, Demands Severe Punishment

Gwangsan District in Gwangju has applied for the designation of "righteous person" for a high school student who was seriously injured while trying to save the victim at the scene of a murdered high school girl case.

On June 3, Gwangsan District announced that it had requested the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s Righteous Person Review Committee to designate A (17), who was seriously injured by a knife while attempting to help the victim during the murder of a high school girl in Wolgye-dong, Gwangsan District, Gwangju last month.

The term "righteous person" refers to someone who, regardless of their duties, risks their own safety to rescue another person’s life, body, or property in danger. If recognized as a righteous person through a review, they become eligible for national honors and support.

At around 12:11 a.m. on May 5, A approached the scene near a university walkway in Wolgye-dong, Gwangsan District, Gwangju, after hearing the screams of Lee Chaewon (17), a high school girl. There, A was seriously injured by a knife wielded by the suspect, Jang Yunki (23).

It was reported that A was taken to the hospital for treatment immediately after the incident and has since been discharged.

Gwangsan District, in consultation with the Gwangju Metropolitan Police Agency, collected investigative materials, medical staff opinions, and diagnostic documents that could prove the rescue actions at the time, and submitted them to the Ministry of Health and Welfare. Whether A is recognized as a righteous person will be determined through the committee’s review, with results expected in two to three months.

The late Lee Chaewon. MBC broadcast footage

Meanwhile, the bereaved family of the late Lee Chaewon, who died in the incident, recently released her name and photo, calling for severe punishment for the suspect. According to the family, Lee was a student who dreamed of saving lives and was preparing to enter the Department of Emergency Rescue.

Jang Yunki was sent to trial on charges of murdering Lee, who was on her way home on a walkway in Gwangsan District, Gwangju on May 5, and attacking another teenager who tried to stop him with a knife. Police investigations found that Jang had originally planned to target a foreign woman he worked with part-time, but when he could not find her, he attacked Lee instead.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.