Principal Who Returned to Classroom After Overcoming Brain Hemorrhage Saves 5 Lives Through Organ Donation

A 50-year-old man who loved his students so much that he overcame a brain hemorrhage sustained while serving as a school principal and returned to work as a regular teacher has saved five lives through organ donation.

According to the Korea Organ Donation Agency (KODA) on today (the 20th), Yang Seong-woo (52) donated his heart, lungs, liver, and both kidneys at Jeju Halla General Hospital on the 6th of this month.

Yang also shared his skin, a human tissue.


Yang collapsed from a brain hemorrhage in 2024 and received treatment that improved his condition, 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 the arms of his family.

His bereaved family decided on organ donation, recalling the deceased person's life, which had always sought to make a positive impact on others.

His wife, Kang San-ju, said, "My husband is someone who would have chosen organ donation if he had been conscious," adding, "He would have been happy with the fact that he could pass on life to someone else before leaving."

Born in Jeju as the youngest of two sons and two daughters, Yang began his teaching career at an elementary school in Seogwipo in 2000, dedicating 26 years to the classroom.

Yang was known as a teacher who deeply cherished his children.

He paid close attention to students from difficult family backgrounds or those who struggled to fit in with peers, and he even went out to search for students who had run away from home.

His love for his students remained unchanged even after falling ill.

Yang stepped down from his position as principal after suffering a brain hemorrhage while working through an open recruitment process in 2024, but he focused on rehabilitation with the determination to teach children again.

He subsequently returned to the classroom as a regular teacher in September of last year.

Even with physical difficulties, he received treatment after work and prepared for classes the next day.

Even after taking another medical leave in June of this year, he continued his treatment and exercise without letting go of the hope that he could return to school.

More than 150 people, including students, fellow teachers, and parents, attended the funeral procession of Yang, who treasured the connections he made once, to mourn the deceased.

His wife Kang delivered a farewell message to her husband, saying, "Thank you for loving and cherishing me. I was truly happy to have met you, oppa. Now, play the soccer you love in a place without pain, travel as much as you want, and live with a smile. I will try to become a mother who is not ashamed before our two sons. Our two sons also love and respect their proud and affectionate father very much."


(Photo courtesy of Korea Organ Donation Agency, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.