Nimal

By Lee Kyung-min

Immigration authorities said Tuesday that they are likely to cancel a 10 million won ($8,860) fine on a Sri Lankan man, 38, imposed for overstaying here illegally. The man who goes by his first name Nimal sustained multiple burn injuries after he entered a burning house to save a 90-year-old woman. He is the first illegal alien to have won a government-recognized award for such a "righteous act."

According to an official at the Korea Immigration Service's Daegu office, the man whose full name is Katabilla Ketiye Ge-Dara Nimal Siri, is likely to be granted leniency. His work visa expired last September.

"We asked Nimal and his legal representative to come to our office on Wednesday with the necessary documents ready," an official said.

"We will convene a meeting to positively consider canceling the fine after reviewing his past," she added.

This comes a day after the Ministry of Health and Welfare gave Nimal an award recognizing his courageous act in accordance with the Protection of Persons Killed or Wounded for a Righteous Cause Act.

Nimal was selected by a 15-member committee comprised of officials from the health and welfare, veterans' affairs and justice ministries, as well as lawyers and doctors.

The members unanimously agreed that Nimal should be given the award regardless of his current legal status. He was also given 10,450,000 won.

The former worker at a factory in Gunwi, North Gyeongsang Province, sustained second degree burns to his neck, wrists and head after he went into the house to save the woman, Feb. 10.

He was working on a nearby farm at the time, and saw the house on fire. He immediately ran to it and rescued the woman.

Nimal came to Korea in September 2013 on a work visa, and earned up to 1.8 million won a month, 80 percent of which was sent back to his parents in his home country.

After his visa expired, he decided not to go back to his country where he could only earn the equivalent of about 500,000 won a month.

Nimal paid for his hospital treatment using a 30 million won award given by a welfare foundation operated by LG Group.

Kim Do-hyen, his legal representative, said he is grateful for the government's decision.

"It is true that many illegal aliens refrain from reporting criminal activities or getting involved in situations that would reveal their status. I hope this case will encourage them to actively help those in danger, regardless of their legal status," he said.

Nimal is awaiting a G-1 visa issued to foreigners who require hospital treatment until they are fully recovered.