Korea’s oil refiner S-Oil gave awards to dozens of citizens and bereaved families for risking or sacrificing their lives to save others, the company said Thursday.

S-Oil presented a total of 140 million won ($118,600) to 34 citizen heroes at its annual Hero Neighbors Award event held at its headquarters in Seoul.
 

The recipients included 29-year-old job seeker Ahn Chi-beom, who passed away after helping some 20 neighbors evacuate from a fire at a residential building in Seoul in September. More than 60 guests attended the award ceremony, including the surviving recipients and bereaved families of the deceased.

“(The award recipients) who saved their neighbors from danger are the true heroes of this society,” said S-Oil CEO Othman al-Ghamdi. “(The company) will continue to support the local citizen heroes through our Hero Neighbors Support Program.”

Since 2008, the oil refiner has annually held the award to remember and support local heroes and recognize their sacrifices. 

By Lee Hyun-jeong (rene@heraldcorp.com)