Jeon Ok-rye, Who Raised 119 Infants and Toddlers Over 36 Years, Receives Seodaemun-gu Model Citizen Award

Seodaemun-gu Mayor Moon Seok-jin Awards Commendation to Jeon Ok-rye, Korea's Longest-Serving and Oldest Foster Mother, on the 11th

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Seodaemun-gu (Mayor Moon Seok-jin) awarded Jeon Ok-rye (75), the longest-serving and oldest foster mother volunteer in Korea, with a commendation for exemplary citizen in child welfare at the mayor's office on the afternoon of the 11th.

Jeon, who moved to Bukgajwa 2-dong, Seodaemun-gu in 1984, began volunteering that same year after learning about foster mother activities at the nearby Dongbang Social Welfare Association.

“Foster mother volunteering” involves raising and caring for infants under 36 months old who cannot be raised by their parents or family in the volunteer’s own home.

While long-term volunteers often take breaks ranging from several months to years, Jeon has raised 119 children over 36 years, except for one month last year when her child returned from overseas and was under self-quarantine.

Jeon also cared for children with illnesses or disabilities. In 2008, she devotedly cared for a premature baby suffering from heart failure and pneumothorax, who recovered significantly and was later adopted by foster parents who are pharmacists.

In 2018, she arranged surgery for a child born with leg disabilities, and the child was adopted the following year.

Additionally, when a developmentally disabled child who was not adopted had to go to a care facility, she sent sponsorship funds until the child became an adult.

At the commendation ceremony, Jeon said, “I hope more children can grow up after being adopted into families. As long as my health permits, I want to do my best to care for the children.”

Mayor Moon Seok-jin said, “Thank you for lovingly and sincerely caring for the children over such a long period. Seodaemun-gu will also strive harder to ensure that every single child grows up healthy and happy.”

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