"I've Also Received Help"... Hero in His 60s Who Saved Child from Lake Donates Reward Money

A Man in His 60s Rescues 19-Month-Old Girl from Lake
Donates Part of Reward to Children from Vulnerable Groups

It was recently revealed that a man in his 60s who rescued a 19-month-old girl from a lake donated part of his reward money to children from vulnerable groups.

According to Yonhap News on August 5, Kim Kyungho (age 65), a temporary worker and resident of Cheonggye-dong, Uiwang, Gyeonggi Province, was inspecting an electrical panel along the Baegun Lake trail in Uiwang on May 1 at around 7:10 p.m., when he heard a splash and immediately rushed toward the sound.

At the scene, people had gathered and were murmuring, and a 19-month-old girl had fallen into the lake, where the water was over three meters deep beneath the deck path. A man, believed to be the child’s father, jumped in first, but as the child continued sinking, Mr. Kim also took off his work shoes and dove into the lake. Despite people nearby urging him—given that he was in his 60s—that it was dangerous, he started the rescue right away.

Mr. Kim recalled, “I don’t know where I found such courage at that moment,” and added, “I just couldn't stand by as a doll-like child was sinking, no matter how scared I was.”

Mr. Kim Joungho, recipient of the LG Lifesaving Award. Photo by Kim Joungho

Diving into the water, Mr. Kim swam toward the girl, reached her at the bottom of the lake, and brought her back to the surface. During the rescue, he suffered leg cramps and swallowed water multiple times. Still, he never gave up and ultimately saved the child after about 15 minutes.

Fire and rescue personnel who arrived on the scene after receiving an emergency call reportedly expressed their gratitude to Mr. Kim, saying, “You did what we should have done.” About ten days later, the child’s mother also visited Mr. Kim at work to thank him in person. After the story of his rescue became public, the LG Welfare Foundation awarded Mr. Kim with the LG Award for Heroism last month and presented him with a reward.

Mr. Kim Kyungho introduced on the LG Welfare Foundation website. LG Welfare Foundation website

However, Mr. Kim’s kindness did not end there. He donated a portion of his reward money to the Cheonggye-dong District Office, asking that it be used for local children from vulnerable groups. He practiced this act of sharing for his neighbors even as his temporary job contract was about to end. The donation was delivered to three vulnerable families in Cheonggye-dong.

“I have also received a lot of help in my life, so donating felt natural,” Mr. Kim said. “I hope it will be of help to students from disadvantaged backgrounds.”

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