"Not Something to Take When You Die" 90-Year-Old Grandmother Donates 1 Billion Won Generously

Donated 1 Billion Won Lifelong Savings to Korea University Anam Hospital
Seongbuk-gu House Also to Be Donated to Medical Center After Death
Garden in Front of Anam Hospital Main Building Named 'Han Jongseop Garden'

A nonagenarian operated a silk factory and generously donated over 1 billion KRW, the fortune she had accumulated throughout her life, to Korea University Hospital.

Korea University Medical Center announced on the 15th that it held a naming ceremony for the ‘Han Jongseop Garden’ on the 9th at the outdoor garden of Korea University Anam Hospital to honor Mrs. Han Jongseop (90), who donated over 1 billion KRW for the advancement of medical science.

Han Chang-su, Director of the Fund Project Headquarters, Han Jong-seop's wife, Yoon Eul-sik, Vice President of Medical Affairs, and Han Seung-beom, Director of Anam Hospital, attended the naming ceremony of the 'Han Jong-seop Garden' on the 9th (from left).
[Photo by Korea University Medical Center]

Mrs. Han stated, “What’s the use of holding onto money? You can’t take it with you when you die. I believe it’s much more meaningful to be remembered and leave a name through donations.”

After losing her family during the Korean War, she moved south at the age of 18 and ran a silk factory with her husband in Yongdu-dong, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, managing their household.

With the money she diligently saved, she has donated a total of 1,000,650,000 KRW since 2021 and has also pledged to donate her residence in Seongbuk-gu to the medical center after her passing.

Mrs. Han said, “Back when Korea University students were involved in student movements, many of them used to come to our house to hide. As a longtime resident of the neighborhood, I have affection and closeness toward Korea University, which led me to decide on this donation.”

She added, “I am glad to pass on the results of a lifetime of hard work to a meaningful place. I hope a world where many people live healthy, happy lives without illness comes sooner.”

Korea University Medical Center plans to permanently remember and continue Mrs. Han’s wishes by naming the garden in front of the main building of Anam Hospital the ‘Han Jongseop Garden.’

Yoon, the Vice President for Medical Affairs, said, “Mrs. Han’s pure and upright spirit deeply moved and inspired many people. The newly named Han Jongseop Garden will be a beloved space where many faculty, staff, and visitors can feel her heart forever.”

Earlier in May, an elderly person in their 80s from Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do, who has been donating money earned from collecting scrap paper every year, also became a topic of interest. According to the Jeonju Welfare Foundation ‘Jeonju People,’ Mr. Hong Kyungsik (80), who lives in Jungang-dong, donated 1 million KRW the day before, asking for it to be used to help neighbors in need. He has been donating scrap paper earnings for three consecutive years since 2021, including 2 million KRW last year.

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