Police Officer Brain-Dead from Drunk Driving Accident, Gifts New Life and Passes Away Peacefully

On the 22nd, the Korea Organ Donation Agency presented a plaque of merit and a certificate of appreciation to the bereaved family of the brain-dead organ donor, the late Officer Hong Seong-suk, at the 2nd conference room of the Seoul Seodaemun-gu Police Agency. Photo by Korea Organ Donation Agency.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-ju] A police officer who was declared brain dead after being hit by a drunk driving vehicle donated organs to critically ill patients before passing away, and memorials are continuing.

The Korea Organ Donation Agency presented a commendation and a certificate of appreciation to the family of the brain-dead organ donor, the late Sergeant Hong Seong-suk (42), at the Police Agency's 2nd conference room in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, on the 22nd.

Sergeant Hong, who belonged to the Investigation Division of the Yongin West Police Station, was driving home on August 29 when she was struck by a drunk driving vehicle and fell into a brain-dead state.

The family decided to donate her organs according to her wishes, and on August 31, Sergeant Hong donated organs to patients suffering from liver disease and then passed away peacefully.

The Police Agency and the Organ Donation Agency presented a commendation and a plaque of appreciation to Sergeant Hong’s family in honor of her wishes.

Her husband, Ahn Chi-young (48), attended the ceremony with their 20-month-old daughter, Hope (prenatal name).

Ahn said, "We talked about donating organs if one of us passed away," and added, "I hope that life will bloom in someone’s life as my wife wished."

He continued, "Our daughter is too young to even know that her mother has passed away," and said, "When she grows up, I will definitely tell her that her mother is still living and breathing in someone’s life through organ donation."

The Police Agency and the Organ Donation Agency have shared Sergeant Hong’s story on SNS, blogs, and the Police Agency intranet since the 29th of last month.

Fellow officers and citizens are leaving messages to commemorate Sergeant Hong. There are also numerous posts from fellow police officers pledging to follow her example by registering for organ donation.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.