"Save others' lives"... A True Teacher Who Left After Giving New Life to Four People

Teacher Lee Young-joo in her 50s, Brain-Dead Organ Donation

A teacher in his 50s, who was always a ‘true mentor’ thinking of others before himself and caring deeply for his students, donated his organs after brain death, giving new life to four people before passing away.

According to the Korea Organ and Tissue Donation Agency on the 14th, Lee Young-joo collapsed while packing his belongings at home on the 7th to attend training for a principal promotion. He was transported to the hospital and treated but ultimately did not regain consciousness and was declared brain dead.

Lee Young-joo, who gave new life to over 100 people through organ and human tissue donation.
[Photo by Korea Organ and Tissue Donation Agency]

His family said that Lee often expressed his wish to save others through organ donation after his death, and if organ donation was not possible, to donate his body to a medical school. Respecting his wishes, they decided to proceed with the donation.

Through brain-dead organ donation, Lee donated his heart, liver, and kidneys (left and right), saving four lives, and helped the functional recovery of over a hundred patients through tissue donation.

Born as the third of four siblings (three sons and one daughter) in Gunsan, Jeonbuk, Lee worked as an English teacher in middle and high schools before being promoted to vice principal three years ago. He was on the verge of being promoted to principal. It is also reported that he had been supporting underprivileged neighbors for over 20 years.

Donor Lee Young-joo [Photo by Korea Organ and Tissue Donation Agency]

Acquaintances said that Lee was a teacher who cared for his students like his own children, especially paying more attention to those struggling financially or having difficulty adjusting to school life.

Lee’s son, Gyeore, said, “This is Gyeore, Dad’s son. On the day Dad left us, many people cried for him. We will now all remember and act upon his dedication to others and his utmost efforts for his family. Thank you. We love you so much,” delivering his final farewell.

Lee Sam-yeol, director of the Korea Organ and Tissue Donation Agency, said, “We thank the donor and his family for saving four lives and improving the quality of life for over 100 patients through life-sharing. The Korea Organ and Tissue Donation Agency will continue to strive to save even one more life.”

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