A Woman in Her 50s Who Came from China and Served for 20 Years, Saving Lives and Passing Away

by Heo Midam

Published 13 Jan.2025 10:09(KST)

A woman in her 50s who was born in China and came to Korea over 20 years ago, dedicating herself to volunteer work, saved lives through brain-dead organ donation before passing away.

According to the Korea Organ and Tissue Donation Agency on the 13th, Hwang Seolmae (54) donated her heart, lungs, and both kidneys at Yesu Hospital on November 28 last year. In addition to organs, Hwang donated human tissues such as corneas, bones, skin, ligaments, and blood vessels, helping over 100 patients before she passed away. On the 19th of the same month, she collapsed after complaining of a headache and was transported to the hospital, but she never regained consciousness and eventually fell into a brain-dead state. Her family recalled that Hwang always liked helping those in need and decided to proceed with the donation.

The late Hwang Seolmae. Provided by the Korea Organ Donation Agency

Hwang was born as the youngest of one son and one daughter in Mudanjiang City, Heilongjiang Province, China. After graduating from high school and working in China, she came to Korea at the age of 24 and worked in a restaurant. She married at 30 and acquired Korean citizenship. Since then, she participated in meal support projects delivering lunchboxes to children who skipped breakfast on their way to school, as well as church volunteer activities for over 20 years. Her family remembered her as an active and considerate person who warmly approached those in need first.

Hwang’s husband, Lee Daewon, who had consistently volunteered with her, said, "I believe she has gone to heaven. Although her sudden departure has been a difficult time for our family, I think she is doing well in heaven. We are doing well here, so don’t worry and rest peacefully in heaven. Thank you and I love you," delivering his final farewell.

Lee Samyeol, director of the Korea Organ and Tissue Donation Agency, said, "We thank Hwang Seolmae and her donor family for deciding to share life to save others. We hope the warmth of love she showed through her volunteer work will spread widely."