S.Korean student remembered 20 years after bravery

Code-Switching Butterflies

Article
A memorial ceremony was held in Busan, South Korea, for a student who died at a Tokyo train station 20 years ago trying to rescue a man who had fallen onto the tracks.

Lee Su-hyon and a Japanese photographer jumped from the platform to save the man at Shin-Okubo Station on January 26, 2001. All three were hit by a train and killed.

On Tuesday, a ceremony was held at Lee's grave in his hometown Busan. About 20 people attended, including Lee's mother Shin Yoon-chan and the Japanese Consul-General in Busan, Maruyama Kohei.

Lee was studying in Japan, hoping to become a bridge between the two countries.

After his death, his parents created a scholarship program with condolence money, which has helped nearly 1,000 students study in Japan.

Lee's mother was tearful as she said her son died to realize huge love that transcends borders. She said she, too, will do her best to contribute to bilateral friendship.

Maruyama said in Korean that Lee will continue to be a bridge between the two countries, and pledged efforts to improve bilateral ties.

Lee's heroism has recently attracted renewed attention in his home country, inspiring books and monuments.

Session Notes

Past perfect: Had fallen
Condolences (n.)
transcend (v.)
Bilateral (.adj)
Heroism (n.)