A father’s enduring love: Cancer-stricken Korean man who searched for a home for his autistic son dies at 64
SEOUL, Sept 8 — Jeon Gyeong‑cheol, the writer known nationwide as the “Peter Pan Dad” for his public q...
Jeon Gyeong-cheol, a renowned Korean writer affectionately known as the "Peter Pan Dad" due to his tireless pursuit of a permanent home for his 27-year-old autistic son, passed away at the age of 64 after a courageous battle with late-stage liver cancer. According to the Developmental Disabilities Support Expert Forum, Jeon had been an unwavering caregiver to his son, who exhibited severe autism and exhibited the cognitive abilities of a toddler, for over two decades.
In April of the previous year, Jeon was informed of his terminal prognosis, leaving him with only a few months to live. This devastating news spurred him to embark on an extensive journey across South Korea, contacting nearly 1,000 care facilities in an effort to find a suitable and lasting residence for his son. Jeon's heartfelt odyssey, chronicled through essays published on the popular platform Brunch, not only struck a chord with readers but also garnered widespread attention through television appearances on MBC's True Story Expedition and tvN's You Quiz on the Block.
His writings culminated in the release of the poignant book Annyeong, Peter Pan, in June. The public outpouring of support was monumental, with numerous individuals contributing a combined total of 80 million won (equivalent to approximately US$59,000) towards securing a place for his son, Je-won, in a community village tailored for individuals with profound developmental disabilities.
In a recent episode of You Quiz on the Block, Jeon expressed his hope that his son would eventually "forget about his dad and live happily," though he still desired to be remembered by his son with a "faint sense of longing." Even as his health deteriorated, Jeon remained steadfast in his commitment to enhancing support systems for families in similar situations.
On August 26, mere days prior to his demise, he announced the formation of a preparatory committee for a welfare foundation aimed at aiding adults with severe autism-related disabilities. The committee's ultimate goal is to formally establish the foundation, a project that will continue to be discussed by its members even after Jeon's passing. In keeping with his wishes, Jeon's funeral will be a simple affair, without the customary wake.
Written by urgent.news from Malay Mail's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
