Twenty minutes for 23 kilometers: Police, motorists and a firefighter's wife's wish

Cars moved aside as the sirens approached. The police were not the only people who made this journey possible; drivers helped carry the ambulance forward.

On September 19, 2026, firefighter Yu Byeong-jun was critically injured at a Gyeongju house fire. Police motorcycles and a patrol car escorted his ambulance to Ulsan University Hospital. Drivers made way, enabling about 23 kilometers in 20 minutes. The Korean National Police published original footage on October 14.

The MBC clip appeared prominently in Korean news-video rankings on October 21. But reaching the hospital was not the end. In an October 16 MBC interview, his wife, fellow firefighter Baek Min-jeong, described severe burns and multiple skin grafts. A long recovery follows the dramatic transfer.

MBC reported viewers wishing him recovery and thanking police and motorists. His wife said those messages moved her. Her larger wish was for all firefighters to return safely to their families.

Ambulance crews, traffic police and motorists worked as one. Emergency response is a system of cooperation, not one solitary heroic act.

The incident was September 19, police footage appeared October 14, and MBC interviewed his wife October 16. He regained consciousness but needed more treatment. The 23-kilometer, 20-minute figure describes the transfer, not full recovery.

The latest verified treatment update here is the wife's October 16 account. His subsequent condition, discharge or complete recovery is not established.