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An illegal resident from Kazakhstan, simply identified as “Ali,” who saved his South Korean neighbors from a burning building on Mar. 23. (provided by Jang Seon-ok, Ali’s neighbor)

A migrant worker from Kazakhstan was injured while rescuing around 10 South Koreans from a fire -- but he now faces deportation after his good deed resulted in his illegal status coming to light.

The 28-year-old from Kazakhstan, identified by his given name Ali, was arriving at his studio apartment in the Yangyang township of Yangyang County, Gangwon Province, at around 11:22 pm on Mar. 23 when he smelled something burning. Sensing that a fire had broken out, he immediately opened the windows in the second- and third-floor corridors to let the smoke out, while evacuating his neighbors with calls of “Fire!”

After his attempts to evacuate residents, Ali learned that a woman in her 50s was caught on the second floor, at which point he entered the burning room by hanging on to city gas pipes and television cables dangling from the roof. In the process, he suffered second and third degree burns to his neck, back, and hands. Unfortunately, the woman in question ultimately passed away from smoke inhalation.

Firefighters and police arrived at the scene of the fire soon afterwards. Ali hurried away, fearful that his undocumented status would be discovered.

“Ali wasn’t there when we arrived at the scene,” said a source with the Gangwon Fire Headquarters, describing the situation at the time. “It was from others who were present there that we learned about his rescue and evacuation of residents’ efforts early on in the fire.”

With nowhere to stay after his home had burned down, Ali was found by nearby residents who had learned about his good deeds and taken to a hospital in Sokcho. But the wounds were more serious than expected, and he ended up having to be taken to a Seoul hospital specializing in burn injuries.

It was at that hospital that his neighbors learned of his illegal status. Only when he was asked to provide an alien registration card for treatment did Ali cautiously reveal that he was undocumented. He had entered South Korea in 2017 from Kazakhstan on a tourist visa and survived doing day labor while living in small rental units costing 200,000 won (US$163) a month. He had been using the money he earned on construction sites to send money to his parents, wife, and two children back home in Kazakhstan.

Learning of his sad plight, neighbors pooled money to cover his hospital bills. As he did not have health insurance, the fees paid by his neighbors alone amounted to 7 million won (US$5,694).

On Apr. 16, Ali voluntarily reported himself to the Korea Immigration Service as an undocumented worker. Following his admission, he is now required to leave South Korea as of May 1.

Firefighters put out a fire in the building in Yangyang County, Gangwon Province, where Ali lived and from which he rescued over 10 South Korean people before fleeing the scene on Mar. 23. (provided by Gangwon Fire Headquarters)

Ali’s neighbors recommend designation as “person wounded for a righteous cause”

His neighbors are now pushing to have him designated officially as a “person wounded for a righteous cause.” On Apr. 16, residents submitted an application with Yangyang County. The status is awarded to those who are killed or injured while risking their own life or bodily harm to rescue others who are endangered in non-professional activities. If recognized, Ali would be entitled to minimal courtesies as stipulated by law, including compensation and payment of medical costs.

“While Ali was being treated, I asked him, ‘Why did you go into the fire when you knew you might be found out? Why did you rescue them?’” said Ali’s neighbor Jang Seon-ok, vice principal of Sonyang Elementary School.

“He answered, ‘You have to save people.’ As someone who teaches children, I just fell apart after hearing that,” she said.

“How many people would risk their own life to save people from a fire? Ali is still unable to sleep from guilt over failing to save that woman’s life,” she added.

“Even if he is an illegal resident, I think it’s just too harsh to deport him without any compensation after he was injured saving a dozen South Korean lives.”

Sri Lankan national received permanent residency after rescuing woman from fire

In 2018, a Sri Lankan national identified by his given name Nimal, then 41 years old, became the first illegal resident from his country to receive permanent residency after dashing into flames and rescuing a woman in her 90s from a fire in the Goro township of Gunwi County, North Gyeongsang Province, in February 2017. It was the first case of someone being granted permanent residency in recognition of contributions to protecting South Korean lives and property.

As Ali awaits departure as an illegal resident on May 1, Yangyang County also plans to submit an application for “person wounded for a righteous cause” status with the Ministry of Health and Welfare on his behalf.

“For now, we’re preparing the necessary documents for the application, including confirmation of the facts,” a county official said.

“Individuals are allowed to apply on their own, but since Ali is an illegal resident who has to leave the country in the near future, the county plans to invoke its authority to submit the application,” the official added.

By Park Soo-hyuk, Gangwon correspondent

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