Sergeant killed while aiding hurt pedestrian
Chung Yeon-seung
Chung Yeon-seung, 35, a sergeant in the Special Warfare Command, was hit by a car as he came to the aid of a woman involved in a separate incident.
Chung, who belonged to the command’s 9th Special Forces Brigade, was driving to work Tuesday when he witnessed an oncoming car strike a female pedestrian crossing the street at an intersection near Songnae Station in Bucheon, Gyeonggi.
The soldier immediately stopped and ran toward the scene of the accident to check on the woman, who had been knocked unconscious.
However, as he was administering first aid, the driver of a one-ton truck ran a red light, barrelling into Chung, the woman and the driver of the first car.
The three were immediately transferred to the nearest hospital, where Chung and the female pedestrian were later pronounced dead. The condition of the first driver was unknown.
Army officials said Chung died from blunt chest trauma. They added that he was a passionate role model for the other soldiers in his unit.
Chung “had a talent for repairing brigade equipment and was able to tackle projects considered too difficult by other soldiers in an efficient manner,” one official said, adding that the late soldier was especially interested in improving the performance of anti-terror and special warfare equipment and made consistent efforts to improve the military capabilities of his unit.
Above all, Chung was a warmhearted master sergeant, they said, who had volunteered at facilities for the disabled and at a nursing home in Siheung, Gyeonggi, since 2000. He also donated 100,000 won ($84) each month to young students from low-income or disadvantaged households.
Chung leaves behind a wife and a 6-year old and an 8-year-old daughter.
To honor him, the Special Warfare Command plans to conduct a fundraising campaign for his family. A military funeral service for Sergeant Chung will be held at 9 p.m. today at the Armed Forces Capital Hospital.
BY JEONG YONG-SOO [koo.yurim@joongang.co.kr]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
To write comments, please log in to one of the accounts.
Standards Board Policy (0/250자)