A 38-year-old father of three helped to prolong the lives of several others by having his organs and tissues donated post-mortem.
The organs of Kim Gyeom, who died March 20 at the Inje University Ilsan Paik Hospital, were used for the critical treatment of seven people, according to the Korea Organ Donation Agency. Body tissues donated in addition to the organs helped some 100 patients.
Kim collapsed on March 13 while playing bass at a service in his church. He received emergency medical treatment but did not regain consciousness and was eventually pronounced brain-dead.
Kim had registered for post-mortem organ donation in 2007, and the bereaved family gave their consent so more people could live through his help.
Kim was a devoted husband and father of three, whose youngest daughter was just 100 days old when he died. A dedicated Christian, he attended a seminary university and worked in the logistics business after graduation.
He was described as a family man who spent time with his wife and children after work, and dedicated his weekends to the church where he met his wife, Son Ju-hee.
Son said she wished many people would remember Kim's last actions, and that their children would grow up remembering their father with pride.
minsikyoon@heraldcorp.com
