34 foreigners saved from the Yeongdeok bushfire received permanent residency visa, which was scary, but people should not be hurt

By Sohee, Kim

May 19, 2025

34 foreigners saved from the Yeongdeok bushfire received permanent residency visa, which was scary, but people should not be hurt



Ask Anything' a righteous man who rescued 34 people from the Yeongdeok bushfire disaster appeared.

In the 317th episode of KBS Joy 'Ask Anything', which aired on the 19th, the shipowner, who is working with a righteous man who made a rescue effort in the Yeongdeok bushfire disaster, appeared.

34 foreigners saved from the Yeongdeok bushfire received permanent residency visa, which was scary, but people should not be hurt
Vicky, a 23-year-old from Indonesia, said she saved 34 people from the Yeongdeok bushfire disaster, adding that she received an F-2 visa equivalent to permanent residency" he said. This visa is an unlimited stay visa with no restrictions on occupation and deadline.




Originally, it had to expire after three years of visa period and return to its home country, but this incident led to an unlimited visa for Korea. In response, Lee Soo-geun asked "Isn't it impossible to go back to your hometown even if you want to go back to your hometown because of your visa?" and Vicky said "I was worried because I was leaning toward staying in Korea, but I couldn't talk to my family in a hurry."

34 foreigners saved from the Yeongdeok bushfire received permanent residency visa, which was scary, but people should not be hurt
Before counseling, Jeon Dae-heon, a shipowner who was with him during the Yeongdeok bushfire disaster, recalled the situation at the time.

Jeon Dae-heon said "When a forest fire broke out in Uiseong at the time, there was no emergency evacuation order, but suddenly the wind blew like a typhoon. As the tsunami swept away, it came to the village, and the house and car were burned. Inevitably, the village was isolated. There was a power outage, and there was no communication. "I was trying to rescue people, but there was no one there. Civilian rescue teams were also in trouble, so Vicky and the two of them dragged the leisure boat."




Jeon Dae-heon said, "'When I arrived, the gas exploded, and on the left, I was waving my grandfather's handThere was a truck next to him, so he moved to the breakwater and carried people (on the breakwater) to the dock," he added.

Mr. Vicky was a little scared when asked "Wasn't it scary" But there are many people in the village, and fire is dangerous. Don't you think people shouldn't get hurt?" he said, expressing his feelings at the time with poor Korean skills.

Seo Jang-hoon and Lee Soo-geun, as well as the production team, applauded for their brave actions.




34 foreigners saved from the Yeongdeok bushfire received permanent residency visa, which was scary, but people should not be hurt
In addition, Vicky asked "How did you come to Korea?"My father is a Pokhlaine engineer in Indonesia. My salary was low, but I needed a lot of moneyHe explained that he came to Korea to take responsibility for the difficult family situation.

Sunjoo Jeon Dae-heon said "In Indonesia, the wage is 200,000 won, but in Korea, it is about 10 times higher."I dreamed of a Korean dream, studied and invested at a young age."

Afterwards, Vicky surprised everyone by saying that she was married when asked if she had a girlfriend. Even Vicky's visa applies to her family, so her wife can stay in Korea.

In response, Seo Jang-hoon "At a time when you are in charge of the economic part of the family, can't you go to Indonesia at any time?" If you work hard and save money here, everyone is good. I want to talk to my wife and father well and make sure that happens," he said, giving realistic advice and messages of support.



yaqqol@sportschosun.com