In this blog post, we propose ‘Small Actions Create Big Change’ as a fitting topic for a 3-minute speech at a civic group lecture.

Topic – White-Collar Crime: Leaving a Greater Harm

We often say “poverty breeds crime.” Indeed, crimes like theft, robbery, and burglary are typically committed by people pushed to the edge of survival. The reason people tend to be somewhat forgiving of Jean Valjean’s actions was precisely because of his desperate situation—in other words, his ‘poverty’. Because we understand what poverty is, we feel some sympathy and understanding for crimes committed because of it.
However, there is a different kind of crime, one that is less visible. It involves the powerful, elite groups, large corporations, and state power. These so-called ‘white-collar crimes’ are, by their nature, not easily exposed, and even when they are, they are often swept under the rug. A low-level employee stealing a few pennies is immediately prosecuted and sent to prison, yet it is all too common for corruption involving astronomical sums of money to go unpunished.
White-collar crime goes beyond mere financial loss; it shatters the trust of society as a whole. Stealing a loaf of bread harms only a few individuals, but crimes committed by elite groups affect the entire social system, sickening the community. In this sense, white-collar crime acts not merely as illegal activity but as a social scourge.
The recent Busan Savings Bank scandal alone starkly demonstrates how deeply rooted and severe white-collar crime is in our society. Large-scale financial fraud, corruption involving power, and collusion between politics and business push countless ordinary citizens to the brink, deepening economic inequality and distrust. Each time we encounter such incidents, it forces us to ask the fundamental question: ‘Is our society truly healthy?’
A landlord needs tenant farmers to profit from the land, but tenant farmers can cultivate the land even without a landlord.
This analogy starkly illustrates today’s structural imbalance. Yet our current reality flows in the opposite direction. It’s filled with unreflective elite criminals and those who defend them while accumulating wealth. And we ask ourselves, “But aren’t they educated people?” So how should we respond? Common sense dictates that the more educated one is, the more upright they should live.
Yet reality often shows the opposite. In Korean society, the bitter truth is that the more knowledge and prestigious education one possesses, the more often they commit crimes in sophisticated and cunning ways. It seems education has instead become a tool for corruption and privilege.
The bigger problem lies in our society’s unique leniency toward white-collar crime. When individuals in socially respected positions commit crimes, people tend to dismiss it with thoughts like ‘That can’t be true’ or ‘There must be extenuating circumstances,’ turning a blind eye. This is deeply connected to the ‘blind respect for intellectuals’ that has unconsciously taken root within us. We naturally place trust in highly educated individuals and those in elevated social positions, but isn’t that very trust clouding our sense of justice?
White-collar crime is particularly dangerous because its influence permeates deep into the fabric of society. It undermines the legitimacy of institutions and systems, breeds despair among the vulnerable, and shatters faith in fairness and justice. This is not merely an issue of individual misconduct; it reflects systemic flaws and is therefore a problem that must be addressed.
We must not dismiss white-collar crime as mere ‘news fodder’. This is a crucial battle for realizing social justice and a problem that must be solved for a better community. Having more education simply means bearing greater responsibility; it must never serve as a get-out-of-jail-free card.
Even at this very moment, someone might be quietly and meticulously exploiting our society’s systems. Yet we must hold them to the strictest and most uncompromising standards. Thank you.

Topic – Drunk Driving: Never Do It

Did you know that a significant number of traffic accidents still stem from drunk driving? Yet many drivers still treat it as no big deal. Even though it’s a dangerous situation that can take not only their own lives but also the precious lives of others, it’s not uncommon for people to get behind the wheel after drinking. Why? It’s regrettable that excuses like “I only had a few drinks,” “My house is close, so it’s okay,” or “If I don’t get caught, it’s fine” have become habitual justifications.
But the reality is never light. Drunk driving accidents persistently recur and have recently resurfaced as a serious social problem. According to the National Police Agency, in 2023 alone, there were 12,546 drunk driving traffic accidents, resulting in 226 deaths and 19,660 injuries. These are not mere statistics; each represents a tragedy for families and communities. Particularly since 2022, when social distancing measures were lifted following the COVID-19 pandemic and opportunities for drinking increased again, the number of drunk driving accidents has begun to rise once more.
Moreover, there is a clear tendency for drunk driving accidents to cluster around holiday seasons and the periods immediately before and after major holidays. This is because people often find themselves drinking more than usual in the clear air and relaxed atmosphere of a long-awaited vacation spot, and their guard tends to drop as they unwind. However, that moment of lax vigilance can lead to an irreversible tragedy. Under the influence of alcohol, judgment becomes impaired, the ability to focus on the road ahead diminishes, and reaction times to dangerous situations are significantly slowed.
When intoxicated, a driver’s focus on the road ahead is markedly lower than normal, and their ability to handle situations deteriorates rapidly. Even when obstacles are visible, immediate reaction is difficult, and misjudgments or split-second errors can lead to major accidents. What’s even more tragic is that such accidents often result in hit-and-runs. For instance, many cases involve working adults who, after having drinks with dinner, get behind the wheel between 8 PM and midnight on weekdays, cause accidents, and then flee the scene. In fact, 24.5% of all hit-and-run victims are concentrated during this time slot, highlighting the severity of the issue. While they may have felt overconfident when getting behind the wheel drunk, fear of punishment after an accident drives them to abandon the victim and flee.
How do other countries handle this problem? Japan imposes up to 15 years in prison on perpetrators of hit-and-run accidents caused by drunk driving, and even holds those who encouraged drinking responsible. In several European countries like Norway, Finland, and the Netherlands, drunk driving violations result in a driving license suspension of up to 10 years. The reason for implementing such severe penalties is simple: drunk driving is an extremely dangerous crime that can take lives. Strong regulations are not merely about punishment; they represent society’s effort to fundamentally change drivers’ awareness.
The holiday season is approaching soon. And after that comes the year-end and New Year holidays. I sincerely hope that the drunk driving accidents that recur during these periods will decrease this year. I hope this happens not out of fear of punishment, but because people come to realize that their actions are self-harm to their own lives and can be murder to others.
Drunk driving is a momentary choice, but its consequences are irreversible. Remember that a single instance of drunk driving can ruin an entire life. If we all make slightly more conscious choices, we can protect precious lives. Drunk driving is absolutely unacceptable.

Topic – Hikikomori: People Trapped in Their Own Rooms

People who remain confined indoors for extended periods, avoiding the outside world, are called ‘reclusive loners’. In Japan, the term ‘hikikomori’ is widely used to describe such individuals. Hikikomori goes beyond simply enjoying solitude; it refers to people who choose to disconnect from society, shutting themselves away in their rooms. Most spend their days primarily using the internet, venturing out only briefly for specific hobbies or errands, or visiting nearby convenience stores for daily necessities. Some exhibit an extreme form where they scarcely leave their room at all. This state is classified as hikikomori if it persists for six months or longer.
Japan has already seen this hikikomori phenomenon emerge as a serious social problem, with an estimated population of approximately 700,000 hikikomori currently existing. Even more concerning is the fact that the population at risk of developing into hikikomori is as high as 1.55 million. This demonstrates that it is not merely an individual problem, but a structural issue requiring attention and action from society as a whole. And this phenomenon is by no means unique to Japan.
The situation in our country is no different. Youth unemployment rates remain high, causing many university students to delay graduation. Even those who graduate often close their hearts and sever ties with the world due to anxiety about employment, fear of entering society, and repeated failures in workplace life or interpersonal relationships. They increasingly confine themselves to their rooms, avoiding contact with the outside world. The feeling that the world is too vast and they are too small and insignificant within it, the despair that there is no place for them anywhere, drives them into deep isolation.
This solitary life soon leads to depression and can even expand into resentment toward society as a whole. The problem is that while hikikomori living in such isolation may appear to be quietly existing on the surface, if left unattended for long periods, the anger building up inside them can accumulate, potentially leading to extreme choices or violent crimes. They can become increasingly violent and aggressive, sometimes unknowingly becoming dangerous individuals who express their anger toward society.
Our country is also an IT powerhouse, boasting world-leading internet penetration rates, speeds, and user numbers. While digital technology’s advancement has undeniably brought great convenience, paradoxically, this ease of connecting to the world from home is increasingly distancing people from external activities. In an era where a single click provides news of the world, the reasons to step outside are steadily diminishing.
The problem is that we currently lack even accurate demographic statistics on hikikomori. When this phenomenon emerged as a social issue in Japan, they swiftly conducted surveys and implemented policy responses. In contrast, our awareness and countermeasures remain severely inadequate. Now, the government, local authorities, and education offices must conduct a nationwide census of all elementary, middle, and high school students to understand the reality of hikikomori and establish practical, systematic support policies for them. Prevention and early intervention are paramount. The negative impact these individuals could have on society as adults could be unimaginable.
Hikikomori cannot be dismissed as merely an individual problem. It is the raw reality of the society we live in, and another sign of a crisis we are overlooking. Anyone can feel lonely, and anyone can fail. What matters is whether a social system exists to help them endure that failure and loneliness together. This is why we must all gently, yet firmly, knock on the door to their room.

Theme – On the Weight of Depreciation Shouldered by Youth

Let’s imagine a young person who, immediately after graduating from university, lands an internship at a large corporation that many covet. People look at him and naturally wonder. ‘What kind of credentials did he have to land a spot there right after graduation?’ Word spreads like wildfire, and his resume becomes the treasure map everyone wants to see. Once again, the word ‘credentials’ hovers around, circulating among people.
Once you enter university, this word ‘credentials’ is no longer someone else’s story. It soon becomes reality, staring you right in the face. The pressure hits: you must accomplish something within the remaining four years of college. You need a TOEIC score, good grades, and must build up what’s called ‘specs’ – volunteer work, extracurricular activities, internship experience. Simultaneously, you must juggle part-time jobs to earn tuition money. All this must be done within just four years.
There’s a concept called ‘depreciation.’ Have you heard of it? It’s an accounting method where a company sets aside a portion of the profits earned through business activities in advance to cover the cost of recovering the principal, i.e., the value depreciation of assets. It’s only natural for any business to prioritize recovering the principal before profits. Profit is the next concern.
So what about young people? Even without considering the recent craze for private education and fierce job competition, the time and cost an individual invests to meet society’s demanded level of qualifications is beyond imagination. If we were to calculate all the time, effort, and funds a young person pours into acquiring these ‘fixed assets’ called qualifications using compound interest, the required capital would be staggering. And what if that first job, obtained with such difficulty, isn’t stable or doesn’t offer sufficient pay? That’s when the problems begin.
Even if they’re lucky enough to secure employment, most simultaneously start another ‘engine’ – repaying student loans. This marks the beginning of the ‘depreciation’ of the time, money, and effort they invested. Yet the amount of resources today’s youth invest is incomparably greater than that of previous generations, while the conditions for recouping that investment are steadily worsening. In other words, many young people face the reality of potentially having to continue their lives without even recouping the costs they invested.
Furthermore, if the hard-won job is non-regular or employment is unstable, the situation becomes even more severe. Within this uncertain future, the recurring walls of reality gradually wear young people down. This structurally repetitive burden ultimately leads to depression, a societal disease. It is a sign of the times that can no longer be dismissed as merely an individual problem.
Young people today live with the anxiety that they might reach the end of their lives without ever fully recouping the investments they made over their entire lifetimes. If a company cannot even recoup its initial investment through business operations, management may shut down the business, and employees can seek other avenues. But in an individual’s life, no such escape exists. It becomes nothing but an endless Sisyphean task, pushing one’s own life uphill. If a young person must live pushing such a heavy boulder daily, can the future they dream of truly exist? No, can a society where such young people live truly have a future?
Now is the time to bring this structural problem young people face into the public discourse and ponder it together. The burden they carry is too heavy and their age too young to simply dismiss it as the weakness or incompetence of a few individuals. We must empathize with their lives and question whether the costs and burdens this society demands of youth are truly justified.
We must not leave young people to bear this weight alone. This issue is directly linked to the sustainability of our entire society.
Thank you for listening.

Theme – Our Republic of Korea, Amidst Busy Daily Lives

What image of Korea do foreigners see? If you’re curious, you might want to open a Korean travel guidebook available in countries around the world. These guides might just be Korea’s most enthusiastic admirers and, at the same time, its most sober critics.
To the world, Korea is a vibrant and dynamic nation. The Koreans living there are all diligent and passionate, working and moving without rest. Yet, shadows lurk behind this vitality. Korea bears the dishonor of having the largest gender pay gap among OECD member countries. With women’s total wages averaging 38% less than men’s, it seems we still have many challenges to overcome.
This sad record doesn’t end there. Statistics also show that among OECD countries, Korea has the highest suicide rate. Contrary to its beautiful nickname, ‘Land of the Morning Calm,’ this tragic reality shocks us daily. The statistic that approximately 31 people per 100,000 population end their lives by suicide lays bare the wounds our society carries. Particularly shocking and heartbreaking is the fact that in 2009, 202 young people under the age of 25 took their own lives, including six elementary school students.
Why is Korean society running so painfully and breathlessly? Adults in our society are working two jobs just to cover their children’s private education expenses, leaving them little time for rest or joy for themselves. In this environment, it’s perhaps inevitable that ‘hurry up’ has become a defining trait of Koreans. While the principle of speed dominating Korean society may initially seem awe-inspiring and alluring, its essence undeniably stems from purely economic reasons.
We run and run. We keep running somewhere without stopping. Yet we don’t know where we’re heading or what we’re running for. This is the reality we live in. Why on earth do we live such busy lives? We complain about being busy, exhausted by the pace, wanting to rest, yet we keep running. In this suffocating daily grind, perhaps our society’s high suicide rate is a natural consequence. Constant competition and forward motion aren’t the only answers; isn’t taking a moment to catch our breath and find some leisure a more precious value?
Koreans often put on a strong, tough front in public, but they are warm-hearted people who know how to express themselves honestly in front of family. Yet, it’s not easy to recognize the beauty of the very place we live in. Hidden amidst the bustling city life are places like Seoul’s Yongsan Sacred Heart Cathedral, Gilsangsa Temple, Seongrawon, and the Gansong Art Museum – places we may have overlooked. They are beautiful spots worth revisiting and exploring again anytime.
When you love something, you come to know it; and when you know it, you finally see it. If we seek out and learn to love the hidden beauty around us, the landscapes unfolding before our eyes will never be the same again. South Korea may seem uncertain now, yet it remains beautiful. We possess ample potential for improvement and progress. Now, let us find the courage to live a little more leisurely, to let go just a little. If we step back from the competition and tension and find some breathing room, we will encounter a different, warmer Republic of Korea.
Thank you for listening to our story today. I sincerely hope that a little breathing room and happiness finds its way into everyone’s daily lives.

Topic – Hoping for a Mature Internet Culture to Take Root

Hello, everyone. A thought suddenly struck me: ‘Must we use the internet for our entire lives?’ I wonder if it’s truly necessary, yet I soon find myself deeply pondering the question. Some might say the internet has already become not a choice, but an essential tool of life. Like cars, trains, TV, or radio. It feels like something that has become so deeply embedded in daily life that it’s impossible to avoid, even if you wanted to.
But what if, 40 or 50 years from now, or even longer, I grow older and acquire the dignity, character, and refinement befitting my age? Could the internet also mature in a way that suits its age? Would there still be people flicking their fingers like the wind and spewing out harsh words? Would it still be possible to spend over ten hours web surfing, endlessly searching for information? Could we still challenge cyberspace with the same combative attitude? And what exactly would we gain from doing so? As we grow a bit older, will we be able to use the internet more gracefully and with greater dignity? Will a more mature internet culture naturally take root as time passes?
Our generation, which has lived alongside the internet, is distinctly different from the adult generation who lived without it and only encountered it later. Of course, the generation currently in their early to mid-teens, and those yet to be born, will also be markedly different from us. For them, the internet won’t be a ‘tool’ but will be accepted as everyday life itself. Think back to when VCRs first appeared. It’s said that the method for using the recording function spread over a dozen years through the active efforts of sellers and word-of-mouth between people. We never formally learned how to use VTRs in the regular education curriculum. The internet also spread in a similar way initially, but now it’s a reality included within the regular education curriculum. The generation learning the internet through the curriculum will likely acquire much stronger and more practical moral norms than we did. If such education existed, I sometimes wonder if we might receive a bit more ‘respect’ online as we grow older. But upon deeper reflection, that might be wishful thinking.
That’s why we must constantly ponder: How can we become ‘respectable old netizens’? Today, I’d like to cast one vote for “it’s still difficult,” and tomorrow, I hope to cast one vote for “it’s possible.” Such contemplation is, after all, a task we must carry together. For the generation just below you reading this, for the generation preparing to learn typing, and for the new generations who will encounter the internet in the future.
Thank you for listening to the end. I hope you live as a mature netizen today as well.

Topic: Our Small Actions to Reduce Carbon Dioxide Emissions

Hello, everyone.
I sincerely thank everyone for taking precious time out of your busy schedules to attend today. How did you get here? Did you drive your own car, or did you use public transportation? Perhaps some of you walked or rode a bicycle? For reference, I took the subway here today. While I primarily use my personal vehicle in daily life, I consciously chose public transportation today to reduce, even slightly, the carbon dioxide emitted from driving.
As you are well aware, the carbon dioxide issue, closely tied to our lives, has already become a global concern. According to a report published by the Climate Change Action Institute in collaboration with the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre and the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency, South Korea emitted approximately 610 million tons of carbon dioxide in 2011, ranking seventh highest among all nations worldwide. Even more surprising is that South Korea’s per capita carbon dioxide emissions stood at 12.6 tons in 2011, higher than those of Europe, China, Germany, and Japan. Furthermore, South Korea was also the seventh-largest emitter globally in 2010.
To prevent the global average temperature from rising more than 2°C above pre-industrial levels, cumulative per capita carbon dioxide emissions must be kept below 1.5 tons between 2000 and 2050. However, at current emission rates, it is clear we will exceed this threshold before 2030. Faced with this urgent reality, we must now consider practical and proactive steps to reduce carbon emissions from our own positions.
In fact, reducing carbon emissions doesn’t necessarily require grand or extraordinary efforts. Think of those familiar, simple actions we already know well but often overlook in daily life. For instance, raising your air conditioner temperature by just 1˚C can save three young pine trees. Similarly, reducing your daily computer and TV usage by just one hour each can protect twelve young pine trees. If more trees can thrive like this, global carbon dioxide emissions will decrease significantly.
Beyond this, there are many other small actions we can take. Walking or cycling for short distances, and using public transportation whenever possible for longer trips, are excellent methods. Turning off the water while brushing your teeth, shortening your shower time, and making it a habit to use tumblers or reusable shopping bags instead of disposable items are also good habits. When these small actions accumulate, they can yield tremendous environmental protection benefits.
In fact, South Korea’s carbon dioxide emissions in 2011 were 144% higher than in 1990, the third fastest growth rate globally after China and India. While this is a regrettable reality, it makes one thing abundantly clear: we can no longer postpone addressing environmental issues as matters for the distant future. To safeguard the environment and protect the foundation of our lives, the active interest and immediate action of every citizen is urgently needed.
Small efforts can transform our environment. If simple actions like taking the stairs instead of the elevator or unplugging unused electrical cords can help protect the Earth’s environment, wouldn’t we gladly accept these minor inconveniences and hassles? Please remember that each person’s small concern and action ultimately becomes a great force for protecting our environment.
I sincerely hope that the words shared today find a place in your hearts, however small, and that they translate into action in your daily lives moving forward. Thank you for listening to the end, and I encourage everyone reading this to engage in meaningful action. May we all stay healthy and become people who work together for a beautiful Earth. Thank you.

Topic – We Need Living Spaces for the Elderly

Hello, everyone.
I sincerely thank all of you for joining us here today.
When discussing elderly issues or retirement planning, many experts tend to focus primarily on economic and institutional aspects like pensions, insurance, financial management, retirement entrepreneurship, nursing homes, the silver industry, and returning to farming. While these approaches are important, there is something we are overlooking. It is the consideration of what kind of care and preparation the ‘city’—the space where the daily lives of the elderly unfold—should provide for them. Unfortunately, the reality is that relatively little attention is paid to this issue.
It makes us think again about the lives of the elderly living in the city. The era when the saying ‘the elderly live in the countryside’ held true is long gone. Today, many seniors live in large cities or urbanized rural areas. Yet, the perception that aging automatically means early relocation to nursing homes or senior communities, or leaving the city for rural life, still seems pervasive throughout society. Even if such facilities are as luxurious as hotels, for many seniors, it is not a choice but an unavoidable ‘alternative’.
Most seniors wish to age alongside their existing neighbors for as long as possible, in the familiar spaces they’ve lived in since their youth. Walking familiar streets, exchanging greetings at long-time favorite shops, sharing warmth with neighbors—this is not merely a living environment for them, but a solace in life and the meaning of their existence.
Now is the time for cities to develop structures and environments suited to an aging society. A city equipped with spaces for the elderly will become the foundation where diverse generations coexist and realize the true value of community. We must provide them—who dedicated their youth to society—with an environment where they can live with dignity in the very places they built their lives. Isn’t that the very least our society owes them?
A city for the elderly is not merely about installing a few more convenience facilities. It must be a city that respects their lives, memories, and relationships. Only then can we build a society where we can all age with peace of mind.
Thank you for listening.

Topic: Systematic Support for Immigrants is Needed

Hello, everyone.
In this bountiful autumn, I wish peace and well-being fill your homes.
Autumn is a season with a charm distinct from spring. In the fields, a year’s worth of labor ripens into golden hues, while street trees don vibrant autumn colors, painting the cityscape. Yet autumn also signals the year’s end, bringing an inescapable sense of melancholy that seeps in from somewhere.
Amidst this seasonal mood, some of our neighbors still endure loneliness and isolation. They are the immigrants who left their homelands dreaming of a better life and settled in this land. With the recent sharp increase in immigrants entering Korea, calls for multifaceted attention and practical support for them are growing louder.
While support programs for immigrant women and multicultural families are being established through various institutions, they are still in their infancy. Above all, the most urgent problem is the absolute shortage of personnel professionally dedicated to this field. In our society, deeply rooted in a single-ethnicity mindset, foreign immigration has increased rapidly over a relatively short period. Consequently, sufficient research or talent cultivation to prepare for this surge has not been adequately achieved. As a result, poorly designed and inefficient policies are being implemented on the ground, leading to a lack of consistency in policy formulation and execution.
Another challenge that must be overcome is the deeply ingrained closed-mindedness within our society. Immigrants often experience discrimination and alienation, and opportunities to participate in community activities are severely limited. Furthermore, many lack proper Korean language education, making it difficult for them to adapt and integrate into society as a whole. The language barrier is not merely a matter of words; it is one of the greatest barriers preventing immigrants from forming relationships and achieving independence within our culture and society.
However, our society is now clearly entering a multicultural era. We live in a time where diverse races and cultures are easily encountered in daily life. Faced with this undeniable trend, helping the ‘strangers’ within our society to take root stably is no longer an option but an imperative. We must develop systematic and practical educational programs to aid their settlement and actively provide support for economic independence, including employment. Only then can we truly advance toward a multicultural society.
Chuseok, the nation’s most significant holiday, is just around the corner. While the excitement and joy of spending time with family are immense, there are neighbors who may face a lonely and unfamiliar holiday season. This Chuseok, I urge you to reach beyond the small circle of “myself and my family” and, as members of a shared community, extend your hand to your neighbors once more. They are our neighbors, riding the same subway and walking the same streets.
Finally, I wish you a warm and bountiful holiday with your beloved family and friends. Thank you for listening.

Theme – Face the world with a righteous heart

“What a beautiful soul, who fulfilled his duty to the very end.”
“He is a righteous person of our time, whom we should all emulate.”
On the 18th, as the story of bus driver Kim Young-in (53) spread—who sacrificed his life to save students by blocking a school bus with his body—online spaces were flooded with tributes and expressions of gratitude. Mr. Kim was on a road in Jinyul-dong, Nam-gu, Gwangju, when the bus he had briefly parked slid downhill with eight students aboard. He tried to block it with his body and ultimately lost his life, crushed under the wheels. In a harsh world, he selflessly gave his own life to protect others.
It is truly a heart-wrenching and tragic story. Gwangju Nam-gu is actively considering applying for Mr. Kim to be recognized as a ‘martyr’. Given how much our society owes to his noble sacrifice, national-level honors are only fitting.
Mr. Kim is not the only person whose righteous actions have deeply moved us. In 2010, Lieutenant Han Joo-ho, who died in the line of duty during the Cheonan ship rescue operation, is also a figure deeply etched in the public’s memory. Lieutenant Han, a member of the Navy Special Warfare Brigade, risked his life multiple times by diving to rescue missing crew members at the disaster site before dying in the line of duty. His sacrifice transcended mere military duty, exemplifying the ‘sublime nature of humanity,’ and earned the nation’s profound mourning and respect at the time.
Lieutenant Han’s life was later included in elementary school ethics textbooks as a case study for children, and the ‘Han Joo-ho Award’ was established to annually recognize outstanding special warfare personnel. As of 2025, this award has been presented 14 times, its spirit consistently carried forward.
Meanwhile, Lee Jun (then 33), a Korean exchange student in Japan known as the ‘Second Lee Soo-hyun,’ is another figure we must remember. In 2010, he suffered severe injuries while rescuing a citizen who had fallen onto the tracks at Nezu Station in Tokyo, Japan. His righteous act earned him the admiration of many Japanese people. His name was immediately mentioned alongside that of another Korean exchange student who had sacrificed his life at that time, the late Lee Soo-hyun.
Lee Soo-hyun died on January 26, 2001, while attempting to save a Japanese drunk who had fallen onto the tracks at Tokyo’s Shin-Okubo Station. At just 26 years old, his actions deeply resonated within Japanese society, and media outlets in both Korea and Japan widely reported on his courage and sacrifice. Subsequently, the ‘Lee Soo-hyun Scholarship Foundation’ was established in Japan, supporting numerous international students to this day, while various memorial events continue to be held in his honor.
This year, 2025, marks the 24th anniversary of Lee Soo-hyun’s passing. To honor this, memorial services were held on January 26th at the Seoul Press Center and Tokyo’s Shin-Okubo Station, respectively. His alma mater in Busan also held a memorial event attended by students and faculty. Recently, efforts are underway to establish the ‘Lee Soo-hyun Righteous Person Cultural Foundation,’ and various civic education and humanitarian support projects to carry on his legacy are being considered.
Those who practiced self-sacrifice for the greater good are not merely inspiring figures. They are people who embodied what our society should be and what values we must uphold. Their message remains relevant today. In this era saturated with a culture that pursues only personal gain, we relearn hope, responsibility, and solidarity through their lives.
Their noble deaths must not be merely commemorated; they must be remembered and recorded. Their sublime spirit must be passed on to future generations, and society must advance in a better direction based on that spirit. They, too, were people living ordinary lives like us. They had families, dreams, and lives. Yet, in moments of crisis, they prioritized the lives of others. Through them, we are compelled to reflect on what kind of people we should be.
Now, we must all strive to become a little greater, like them. We need the social maturity to face the world with a righteous heart and to choose courageous actions in small but important decisions. That is the most precious legacy they have left us.
Thank you for listening.