제자 아끼던 마음처럼…5명 살리고 떠난 50대 교사

A 50-year-old elementary school teacher, who had devoted his life to nurturing students for 26 years, donated organs to five individuals and passed away. The Korean Organ Donor Authority confirmed on the 20th that Dr. Yeong Soon-yeon (52) underwent brain death organ donation at Jeju Han-Ra Hospital on June 6th. In addition to his organs, Dr. Yeong also donated his skin.

In 2024, Dr. Yeong suffered a stroke, which led to a brain hemorrhage. After recovering from the treatment, he was diagnosed with early-stage brain swelling in late April. Despite undergoing rehabilitation, he had a sudden collapse on July 31st and was rushed to the hospital. Despite undergoing surgery and treatment, Dr. Yeong did not regain consciousness and passed away due to brain death.

Dr. Yeong's family recalled his lifelong habit of helping and caring for others, and expressed that he would have chosen organ donation if he had been conscious. Dr. Yeong, born as the youngest of two children in 2000, began his teaching career in a small elementary school in the city of Gwangju, South Korea, and dedicated 26 years to the profession.

He was known for his genuine care for students, especially those from difficult family backgrounds or those who struggled to fit in with their peers. Dr. Yeong went out of his way to help students who had left school or needed extra support. After becoming the principal in the 2024 teacher recruitment, Dr. Yeong suffered a stroke in the same year, but continued to rehabilitate and prepare for classes the next day.

He returned to teaching after recovering from a bout of illness in June, never abandoning his hope to return to the classroom. Dr. Yeong remained a loving husband and friend to his family. He cherished his time with family, often taking his two sons on trips to the mountains and the sea, and maintained regular contact with his close acquaintances.

Dr. Yeong's final journey was shared by many, with a large number of students, fellow teachers, and parents attending his funeral, and over 150 people attending the memorial service. His wife expressed her gratitude to her husband for being loving and handsome, and for being a good role model for her sons, vowing to raise them to be proud of their mother. She also conveyed her love and respect for her sons.