Elementary School Teacher Who Dedicated 26 Years to Education Gives New Life to Five Through Organ Donation

Stepped Down as Principal Due to Cerebral Hemorrhage,
But Returned to Teaching After Rehabilitation

Continued Treatment and Exercise After Taking Sick Leave in June, Never Giving Up on Returning to the Classroom

An elementary school teacher in Jeju, who dedicated 26 years of his life to education, passed away after saving five lives through brain-dead organ donation.

According to the Korea Organ and Tissue Donation Agency on August 20, Yang Sungwoo (aged 52) donated his heart, lungs, liver, and both kidneys at Jeju Halla Hospital on August 6, and also donated skin as a human tissue donor.

Donor Yang Sungwoo and his wife Kang Sanju. Korea Organ and Tissue Donation Agency

Yang collapsed from a cerebral hemorrhage in 2024, received treatment, and showed some improvement, but was diagnosed with an early-stage cerebral infarction at the end of April this year. While continuing his rehabilitation, he suddenly collapsed again on July 31 and was transferred to the hospital. Despite surgery and treatment, he never regained consciousness and was declared brain-dead.

Yang's family made the decision to donate his organs, reflecting on how he had always lived helping and caring for others. His wife, Kang Sanju, said, “My husband always wanted to have a positive impact on others, and if he had been conscious, he would have chosen organ donation. I believe he would have been happy to know that, even as he left this world, he could give the gift of life to someone in need.”

Born the youngest of two sons and two daughters in Jeju, Yang began his teaching career at an elementary school in Seogwipo in 2000 and remained on the frontlines of education for 26 years. He was always especially attentive to his students, looking out for those experiencing hardship at home or those struggling to get along with friends. Not only did he make sure they had meals, but he sometimes even sought out students who had run away from home.

Donor Yang Sungwoo. Korea Organ Donation Agency

His devotion to his students never changed, even as his health declined. After being selected through an open competition, he served as an elementary school principal in 2024, but stepped down from the position due to a cerebral hemorrhage. Driven by his determination to teach again, he committed himself to rehabilitation and was able to return as a regular teacher in September 2025. Despite his physical difficulties, he continued treatment after work so he could be prepared for class the next day. Even after taking sick leave again in June of this year, he continued treatment and exercise, never giving up hope of seeing his students again.

To his family, Yang was a loving husband and a friend-like father. He cherished time spent with his family, often exploring mountains and the sea with his two sons in every season. Many students, fellow teachers, and parents came to his funeral to pay their respects, and it is reported that over 150 people attended the funeral procession.

His wife, Kang, gave her final farewell, saying, “Now you can play soccer, travel as much as you'd like, and spend your days smiling, free from pain. Our two sons love and respect their proud, affectionate father very much.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.