80-Year-Old Taxi Driver Donates Lifetime Savings of 100 Million Won to Yangcheon District

by Kim Minjin

Published 06 Apr.2026 10:57(KST)

To Be Used for Scholarships, Crisis Family Support, and Volunteer Activity Funds

Yangcheon District in Seoul announced on April 6 that Yang Seongok, a taxi driver residing in Sinjeong 3-dong, donated 100 million won, which he had saved over his lifetime, to the local community in celebration of his 80th birthday.

At the donation ceremony held in the district office meeting room on the 3rd, Lee Gijae, Mayor of Yangcheon District (second from left), and Yang Seongok, the donor (second from right), are taking a commemorative photo. Provided by Yangcheon District Office.

The inspiration for his donation came from a colleague’s story. In January, Mr. Yang was deeply moved after reading in his regular taxi industry newspaper that a union member had donated 100 million won in the name of his late mother. Motivated by this, Mr. Yang decided to fulfill his long-standing promise to give back to society as he reached the milestone of turning 80.

Reflecting on the pride he felt watching his daughter achieve her dreams through diligent study, Mr. Yang expressed his hope that no children would miss out on educational opportunities due to financial hardship. He requested that the donation be used primarily for scholarships for children and youth, as well as for supporting taxi drivers’ families facing difficulties due to accidents, and as a fund for local volunteer activities.

On April 3, the district held a donation ceremony in the district office meeting room, attended by Lee Gijae, Mayor of Yangcheon District, representatives from the Seoul Private Taxi Transportation Association, and the secretary-general of the Yangcheon Love Welfare Foundation. The donation will be distributed through the Yangcheon Love Welfare Foundation to support scholarships for children and youth in the district, assist taxi driver families in crisis, and fund volunteer activities.

Lee Gijae, Mayor of Yangcheon District, said, “I extend my deepest respect and gratitude to Mr. Yang Seongok for his noble decision to generously share the wealth he earned through a lifetime of hard work with neighbors in need and our children. We will ensure that the donor’s warm-hearted intentions are honored by managing and distributing the donation transparently and responsibly.”