Heroes in uniform

Firemen Lee Jae-man and Han Sang-yoon from the Songtan Fire Station in Gyeonggi Province got a call Saturday morning on a fire at a furniture warehouse in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, arriving at the scene in just five minutes. They broke into the building carrying only portable fire extinguishers, but were killed after failing to escape the building due to the sudden spread of the fire. Fellow firemen said Lee and Han always worked hard with a sense of duty, recalling that they always arrived first at a fire scene and were always the last to get out.

The two men willingly sacrificed themselves to save lives. The nation mourned the loss of the two heroes and sent condolences to their families. Han had four-year-old twin sons and a pregnant wife. Lee`s brother was also a fireman. Lee’s father said, "My son died doing a good deed. I feel no regret."

The sacrifice of Sgt. Bae Geun-seong of Hwacheon Police Station in Gangwon Province also deserves commendation. He arrived at an accident scene where the driver of a car that crashed into a telephone pole got an electric shock. The officer saved the driver but was killed by electric shock. Bae was proud to wear a badge and served as a role model for fellow officers. "I was born to be a police officer," he used to say. Bae is survived by his wife and two young sons, and was a devoted son to his single mother. Such a pity that a good-hearted man had to die.

People in the country can work and live even with the threat of North Korea because of committed soldiers, police officers and firemen. The government must fully recognize their efforts and provide the compensation they deserve. Those killed in the line of duty and their bereaved families must receive the proper respect and compensation, while a social environment to honor their great sacrifices is sorely needed.

The Dong-A Ilbo and its newly launched cable TV station Channel A will launch next month a "men in uniform award" for people of national merit and firemen killed or disabled in the line of duty. Society owes huge thanks to these men who do their utmost efforts to serve the public even in adverse conditions. The award will offer hope and reward to these heroes in uniform.