This is the 21st century. Oracles have evaporated into hollow echoes of the past and the demigods, the noblest protector of mankind have returned to dust. However, the descendants of the heroes are still found today. Out of these people, the most widely recognized are firefighters, as they willingly devote their lives to fighting public crimes or natural disasters. Unfortunately, in Korea, public reception toward firefighters is controversial as the social definition for a firefighter is lost between a hero and a serf.

Any Koreans would admit that firefighters deserve a high tribute of respect because they are constantly exposed to danger to save lives, yet people’s sympathy towards these life-savers is surprisingly lukewarm. In fact, there is almost a sense of disdainful negligence toward the firefighters within society. This year, it was also discovered that more than 5,300 firefighters risked their lives by wearing fire-retardant suits that had not been properly tested. Even after retirement, these heroes face difficult living conditions, because the compensation money for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is rejected unless a direct relevance between the job and mental stress has been proved.
 
These grim realities are a projection of an uncomfortable truth—Koreans consider firefighters no more than “3-D” (dirty, dangerous, and demeaning) workers. It directly contrasts with the culture in the United States (U.S.), where firefighters are showered with national adoration. They are also guaranteed lifelong medical coverage for the entire family, receiving up to four weeks paid vacation per year, and are granted a generous pension, according to the Official Fire Department City of New York (FDNY). It is an odd scene indeed, as U.S. firefighters are praised as charming knights in shining armor, while Koreans drop to their knees and polish seats for government officials during the presidential inauguration.
 
As the inferior working environment of Korean firefighters becomes worse, it is of the utmost importance that we thoroughly explore the social treatment toward them. To improve both the living and the working conditions of firefighters, one must first analyze the basic cause that has triggered such national disrespect. Not surprisingly, the answer is already given. The reality of firefighters has revealed not only condescending attitudes from the public, but has also touched the most quintessential value dominant throughout Korean society— materialism.
 
The vulgar truth is that firefighters are forfeited from the public’s esteem because their work is not well rewarded financially. Let’s face it, if firefighters were given the same rewards as in the U.S., would people ignore them as they do now? It is true that people should not be judged by the money they earn, but by the inner values they embrace. But in a world ruled by capitalism, money is the mechanism that stimulates people’s social attention. In other words, improvements on legal frameworks come before social awareness. As for firefighters, by promoting them from a local to a national position which ensures a fixed pension, a steady service allowance, and qualified equipment, they will be deemed more valuable and attractive in our society.
 
American mythologist and writer Joseph Campbell once designed 12 stages to become a hero. According to Campbell, in order to be acknowledged as a true hero, one must obtain rewards after his ordeal. This goes along the same vein as with firefighters. Their ordeal of rescuing people’s lives from disasters must be reasonably evaluated and exchanged into financial benefits. This reward would not only help the public to reconsider the duty of firefighters, it would also bring social awareness to the value of life itself and to the humane sublimity of sacrifice.
 

It is April and Koreans are buzzing with excitement over the premier of the movie Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015). Be that as it may, before we get fanatic about fictional characters, it is time to take into account the real heroes of society and pay respect to the virtue of integrity that transcends life and death. 

저작권자 © The Granite Tower 무단전재 및 재배포 금지