▲ The 30th memorial service for the late Kang Cheo-nyeo
The 30th memorial service for the late Kang Cheo-nyeo, widely known as the "Nampodong Ttosuni" who donated her entire fortune amassed from running a gomtang restaurant to scholarships at Pusan National University, was held at the university.
Pusan National University held the 30th memorial service for the late Kang Cheo-nyeo in front of her bust in the courtyard of the campus central library.
Kang donated her entire fortune, valued at 5 billion to 5.5 billion won at the time, to Pusan National University in 1996.
The regular memorial service, which has been held every year on the anniversary of her passing since the first memorial in 1997, comes to an end this year marking the 30th anniversary.
Although this marks the final official memorial event, Pusan National University plans to continue its scholarship program through the "Nanan Scholarship Fund."
Kang Mi-ok, the representative of the bereaved family who received a plaque of appreciation, said, "I sincerely thank the officials of Pusan National University for not forgetting the deceased and solemnly holding the noble memorial service every year for a long period of 30 years."
Born in Jinju, South Gyeongsang Province, in 1928, Kang experienced a difficult childhood, losing her mother at a young age.
She started a gomtang restaurant in a small space of about 4 pyeong in Nampodong in 1962 and built up her business, becoming widely known as "Nampodong Ttosuni" and the "Gomtang Grandmother."
Kang had frequently expressed her wish, saying, "I hope to alleviate the sorrow of not being able to study, and that no young person has to drop out of school due to poverty."
In accordance with these wishes, she unconditionally donated her entire fortune to Pusan National University in July 1996, and later lived frugally in a small rented house in Oncheon-dong, Dongnae-gu, before passing away that same year at the age of 68.
Pusan National University dedicated the pen name "Nanan" to her and established the "Nanan Scholarship Fund" amounting to 2.52747 billion won based on the donated real estate.
Over the past 30 years, a total of 1,713 students have gained educational opportunities through this scholarship fund, and the scholarships disbursed total 1.92282 billion won.
(Photo courtesy of Pusan National University)
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