Life of Charity

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A 70-year-old former railway official's charity work is gaining public attention. He not only sustained a debilitating injury saving the life of someone who fell on the tracks, but also donated most of his pension and pledged to donate his body for research after his death. Here’s more.

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Mold has spread here and there in this cramped apartment. A sofa salvaged from a junk yard is all torn up. Glasses are worn without repair despite a broken leg.

[Soundbite] Kim Chang-rang(Former Railway Official) : "This was something others threw away.That over there, too. They're still usable."

76-year-old former railway official Kim Chang-rang donates all the money he's fastidiously saved. So far he has given scholarships worth nearly 74,000 dollars to financially strapped students. Kim donates more than 2,600 dollars out of his monthly government pension of 3,100 dollars. He has also pledged to donate not only all his belongings, but also his body after his death.

[Soundbite] Kim Chang-rang(Former Railway Official) : "It's great that the students I helped turned out well. That's what makes my life meaningful.There's nothing better than that."

Kim has a level 5 disability, having seriously injured his leg when he was hit by a train while trying to save the life of an elderly citizen who had fallen on the tracks in 1988. After his life resumed some normalcy with help from many other people, he started his charity work in earnest.

[Soundbite] Kim Chang-rang(Former Railway Official) : "I was allowed to live so I can do more good in the future.I hope the students whom I helped out will continue to do good for society in my stead."

Kim was awarded an Order of Civil Merit Mongnyeon Medal at the Korean Citizens' Donor Awards held at KBS on October 27th.