Filial Son Helping Mom's Gimbap Shop Saves 4 Lives Before Passing... 'Organ Donation' on Bucket List

Brain Death After Fall Accident Leads to Organ Donation
Working at Factory on Weekdays and Mother's Store on Weekends for Dream
Bereaved Family Discovers Bucket List, Respects Deceased's Wishes

A young man in his 20s living in Jeju Island, who fell into a brain-dead state due to an unexpected fall accident, practiced organ donation according to his wishes before passing away.

Gu Kyung-ho (28), a donor who gifted new lives to four people by donating organs (heart, liver, left and right kidneys) after an unexpected fall accident and passed away.
[Photo by Korea Organ and Tissue Donation Agency]

On the 25th, the Korea Organ and Tissue Donation Agency announced that on the 13th of last month, Koo Kyung-ho (28) donated his heart, liver, and left and right kidneys to four recipients through brain-dead organ donation at Jeju Halla Hospital.

He fell while working at a factory on the 7th of last month and was rushed to the hospital, but he never regained consciousness and fell into a brain-dead state.

The donation agency stated that Kyung-ho, the eldest son among two brothers and one sister born in Jeju Island, was always bright and positive. Dreaming of running his own business, he worked at a construction site on weekdays and helped his mother’s kimbap restaurant on weekends, diligently saving money to achieve his dream.

After he lost consciousness due to the accident, Kyung-ho’s parents, despite their grief, asked their son’s friends if he had ever talked about donation. At that time, they discovered that organ donation was listed on their son’s "bucket list" (a list of things he wanted to try at least once). Respecting their son’s wishes, they decided to proceed with the donation, the agency said.

His mother, Kang Hyun-sook, said Kyung-ho was "a son who grew up without causing any trouble and was always kind," and added, "I decided to donate because it seemed too sad that nothing would remain after he left."

Kang said to her beloved son, "I also promised with a smile that I will donate my organs just like you," and gave her final farewell, saying, "Be happy in heaven."

Moon In-seong, director of the Korea Organ and Tissue Donation Agency, expressed gratitude to the donor and the donor’s family, saying, "Thanks to the precious life-sharing of the donor, patients suffering from organ failure have been given a chance to live a new life," and emphasized, "Life-sharing is literally sharing, not an end."

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