▲ In this file photo, three Sri Lankan nationals rescue two Air Force pilots from the Yellow Sea off the coast of Hwaseong, 45 kilometers south of Seoul, on Aug. 12, 2022. (Yonhap)

SEOUL, Aug. 21 (Yonhap) -- Two of the three Sri Lankans who helped rescue two Air Force pilots from the Yellow Sea four years ago were granted long-term residency visas Friday, the justice ministry said.

On Aug. 12, 2022, the foreign nationals were working on a fishing boat off the coast of Hwaseong, 45 kilometers south of Seoul, when they discovered the pilots of a fighter jet that had crashed into the sea due to an engine fire. Along with the ship's South Korean captain, they rescued the pilots from the water.

At the time of the incident, the three had entered South Korea under the Employment Permit System (E-9), which allows for a maximum stay of four years and 10 months.

Of them, two were awarded the skilled worker (E-7-4) residency status earlier Friday, while the third had already obtained long-term status. Holders of the E-7-4 visa are initially permitted to stay for up to two years, after which they can extend their stay indefinitely in two-year increments without any limit on the number of extensions.

The ministry explained the visas were granted in recognition of their exceptional contribution to the national interest by saving a life in danger.

"We will continue to support foreigners who have made special contributions to our society so that they can live stably in the country," Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho said.

In May, the men received a letter of appreciation from the Air Force chief of staff.

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