Remains of heroic Korean young man arrive in Pusan from Tokyo

The remains of the late Lee Su-Hyun, who was killed while trying to rescue a Japanese man who had fallen onto the subway tracks in Tokyo, arrived in his hometown of Pusan Tuesday from Tokyo. Lee¡¯s father, Lee Song-Dae, 61, and mother, Shin Yun-Chan, 50, returned home on a Korean Air flight from Narita Airport, bringing with them their son¡¯s ashes and portrait.

Lee¡¯s parents were given a tearful send off at the airport by some 20 people, including Tokiyoshi Arai, chairman of the Akamonkai Japanese language school which Lee attended with his fellow Korean students.

Prior to departure, his father spoke of his son with pride and expressed his deep gratitude to the Japanese government, citizens and school officials for helping him with the funeral arrangements. Lee¡¯s mother said she hoped he would not feel so sad in the next world because of his valiant deed. She said she wants to launch a project to establish a memorial to her son after consulting Lee¡¯s university (Korea University he attended before going to Japan).

The deceased¡¯s parents also expressed their condolences to Shiro Sekine¡¯s 76-year-old mother, Jizuko. Sekine, a Japanese photographer, also lost his life while trying in vain to save the man on the subway tracks.

Shin wished Jizuko a long life and sorrow for the loss of her son. Jizuko expressed her thanks for Shin¡¯s call and her and her husband good health.

Meanwhile, the Japanese government Tuesday decided to present an award, wooden chalice to Lee¡¯s parents and Sekine¡¯s mother to remember their heroics. Detzujo Fuyushiba, secretary general of the Japanese Komeito, one of the ruling coalition parties, visited the Korean Embassy in Tokyo to express his condolences and offer financial help for the funeral.

Sankei Shimbun of Japan said in its editorial Tuesday that Lee and Sekine did not die meaningless deaths and that they taught others about courage and self-sacrifice.

It also said that the Japanese government should take measures to compensate the families for the tragedy. Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori is scheduled to pay his respects to their courage in his keynote speech in parliament and appeal for society to show the spirit in society exhibited by Lee and Sekine.