119 ambulance (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
INCHEON, South Korea, Feb. 17 (Korea Bizwire) — A fundraising campaign launched by firefighters in Incheon to support accident victims has surpassed 1.2 billion won ($827,586) in donations over five years, officials announced on February 16.
The “119 Miracle” campaign, which began in August 2019, allows participants to donate 119 won daily to assist victims of unexpected fires and accidents. Between its inception and December 2024, the initiative raised approximately 1.23 billion won ($849,655), with contributions increasing almost every year.
In South Korea, 119 serves as the equivalent of the U.S. 911 emergency number, handling fire emergencies, medical transport to emergency rooms, and police assistance.
Initially raising 24 million won ($16,552) in 2019, the campaign saw a steady rise: 160 million won ($110,345) in 2020, 210 million won ($144,827) in 2021, 260 million won ($179,310) in 2022, and 290 million won ($200,000) in 2023. Last year, donations reached 260 million won ($179,310).
The campaign was conceived by firefighters who frequently witness the devastating financial impact of emergencies. Though an individual’s monthly donation amounts to just 3,570 won ($2.46), the collective effort of over 4,500 participants, including 2,400 firefighters, corporate employees, and small business owners, has created a significant relief fund.
To date, 420 million won ($289,655) has been distributed to 96 households affected by fires and accidents. In one case, a family of five lost half of their home in a fire in April 2021.
Lacking insurance, they faced 70 million won ($48,276) in damages and were forced to seek shelter with relatives. The campaign provided them with 3.5 million won ($2,414) for medical expenses and emergency living costs.
Another case involved two young brothers, ages 10 and 8, who suffered severe burns in a 2020 house fire. The younger brother, who sustained first-degree burns over his body, tragically passed away 37 days later, while the older brother required extensive skin grafts. The campaign contributed 5 million won ($3,448) to assist with their medical costs.
Despite its success, the initiative has faced limitations due to eligibility criteria. Currently, only recipients classified as low-income, such as welfare beneficiaries and elderly individuals living alone, qualify for aid. However, firefighters have pushed for broader support, arguing that many struggling families fail to meet the strict criteria.
Recognizing these gaps, Incheon’s Fire Department is now considering expanding the campaign to cover households that have lost their homes entirely or provide medical assistance to children with severe burns, even if they do not meet the official low-income requirements.
“The ‘119 Miracle’ campaign, which started in Incheon, has inspired similar fundraising efforts across South Korea,” said an Incheon Fire Department official. “We are preparing to amend the eligibility guidelines soon to ensure that more victims receive the help they need.”
* Note to editor: The KRW-to-USD exchange rate referenced in the article is based on the rate applicable on the date of publication.
A scene from the Korean film “Firefighters,” provided by BY4M Studio (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
