A 50-year-old man who loved children so much that he overcame a cerebral hemorrhage while serving as a principal and returned to teaching as a regular classroom teacher has saved five lives through organ donation.
According to the Korea Organ Donation Agency (KODA), 52-year-old Yang Sung-woo donated his heart, lungs, liver, and both kidneys at Jeju Halla General Hospital on August 6.
Yang also shared his skin tissue.
After collapsing from a cerebral hemorrhage in 2024, Yang received treatment and his condition improved, but he was diagnosed with early-stage cerebral infarction in late April of this year.
While continuing his rehabilitation, Yang collapsed on July 31 and was rushed to the hospital, but he ultimately failed to return to his family.
His bereaved family decided to donate his organs, remembering the deceased's lifelong wish to always be a positive influence on others.
Born in Jeju as the youngest of two sons and two daughters, Yang began his teaching career in 2000 at an elementary school in Seogwipo, dedicating 26 years to education.
Yang carefully looked after students who were from difficult family backgrounds or struggled to fit in with peers, and he even went out to search for students who had run away from home.
His love for children remained unchanged even after he fell ill.
Although Yang stepped down from his position as a principal after suffering a cerebral hemorrhage in 2024, he poured his energy into rehabilitation with the determination to teach children again.
He then returned to the classroom as a regular teacher in September of last year, and despite his physical discomfort, he underwent treatment after work to prepare for classes the next day.
On the day of Yang's funeral procession, more than 150 people, including former students, fellow teachers, and parents, gathered to mourn him.
His wife, Kang San-ju, delivered her final farewell, saying, "Now, in a place without pain, play the soccer you love, travel as much as you want, and live with a smile. Our two sons also love and respect their proud and affectionate father very much."
Reported by Jung Da-eun | Video by Lee Eui-sun | Graphics by Yang Hye-min | Produced by SBS Digital News
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