Kim Gyeong-ho, who is in charge of electrical switchboard inspection work at Baegun Lake in Uiwang-si, Gyeonggi-do, was working as usual on the evening of May 1 last year when he suddenly heard something falling into the water.

[Kim Gyeong-ho / Good Samaritan who rescued the 19-month-old baby: I think I heard a splashing sound twice, so I was startled and ran over, and the baby was sinking. Such a tiny baby.]

A 19-month-old baby who was sightseeing at the lake had fallen into the water, and a man presumed to be the child's father had also jumped in.

In the critical situation, despite people around him trying to stop him, Kim had only one thought: he had to save the baby.

[Kim Gyeong-ho / Good Samaritan who rescued the 19-month-old baby: Grandmothers and other people nearby were trying to stop me. They asked where I was trying to jump in and if I had no fear. But I do not know. At that moment, I only had the heart to save the baby.]

Although it was dark after sunset and the lake was nearly 3 meters deep, Kim said he found the courage as soon as he spotted the baby.

[Kim Gyeong-ho / Good Samaritan who rescued the 19-month-old baby: The moment I saw the baby, it was literally my emotion. It felt like the baby was saying, 'Grandpa, save me,' so some strength I did not even know I had came out.]

During the rescue process, Kim was also placed in a dangerous situation as he got cramps in his legs and swallowed water several times, but he ultimately used all his strength to pull the child out of the water in about 15 minutes.

Fortunately, both the baby and the father were safe, and about 10 days later, the child's parents visited Kim's workplace to deliver rice cakes and watermelons and express their gratitude.

When Kim's brave action became known, the LG Welfare Foundation presented him with the LG Award for Righteousness in the self-sacrifice category last month and awarded him a prize.

Kim's good deeds did not end there, as he donated a portion of the reward money to the Cheonggyedong Community Service Center, asking that it be used for vulnerable children in the area.

Kim said that although he is not in a well-off financial situation himself, he wanted to share because he had received a lot of help throughout his life.

[Kim Gyeong-ho / Good Samaritan who rescued the 19-month-old baby: Since Cheonggyedong is also my second hometown, and I received quite a bit of help living here and so on. With the feeling that I wanted to contribute even a little bit.]

The donation delivered by Kim was given to three vulnerable households in the region.

(Reported by Kim Taewon | Video by Kim Naon | Graphics by Yook Do-hyun | Produced by SBS Digital News)