"My body moved first"—Three Ulsan civil servants rescue woman in her 50s trapped beneath tetrapods [Thank You, Public Servants]

[Financial News] Three municipal civil servants from Ulsan rescued a woman in her 50s after finding her trapped beneath tetrapods at a travel destination.
According to Jung-gu, Ulsan, on the 9th, Jeong Ho-yeon of Byeongyeong 2-dong in Jung-gu, Ulsan; Choi Se-chang of the Economic Policy Division in Nam-gu, Ulsan; and Choi Han-seok of Duseo-myeon in Ulju County left for a two-day, one-night trip to the seaside in Gampo-eup, Gyeongju, on the 5th. The three men had met as classmates during new civil servant training.
At around 9 p.m. on the first day of their trip, they were returning to their lodging after buying snacks at a convenience store when they saw a woman descend a staircase installed at the pier and move toward the tetrapods.
Tetrapods are concrete structures piled irregularly around breakwaters to disperse the force of waves. Their surfaces are slippery, and the gaps between the blocks are deep, making it difficult for anyone who falls in to get out without help. Victims are also difficult to see from outside, and falls occur every year.
Sensing the danger, Jeong and the others immediately ran toward the tetrapods. However, they could not see the woman and heard only cries of "Help me" and sobbing.
While reporting the incident to the 119 emergency number, Jeong and the others searched various parts of the tetrapods and eventually found Ms. A, a woman in her 50s, trapped below.
The three men worked together to pull Ms. A up. They then brought a blanket from their lodging and covered her because she was trembling from the cold.
Ms. A, who was treated by paramedics after they arrived, was reportedly able to return home safely.
Ms. A expressed her gratitude, saying, "The three of you are benefactors who risked your lives in the darkness to save mine. I will never forget that you reached out your hands without hesitation, and I will live each day to the fullest."
Jeong Ho-yeon, Choi Se-chang and Choi Han-seok said, "Our bodies moved first because we felt we had to help somehow. We believe we simply did what we were supposed to do as civil servants, and above all, we are relieved that the woman returned home safely."


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