A Wildfire Worker’s Sad News... Illuminating the World Through Organ Donation

Exterior photo of the Korea Forest Service (Government Daejeon Complex) building where the deceased was affiliated. Provided by the Korea Forest Service

[Asia Economy (Daejeon) Reporter Jeong Il-woong] A forestry official collapsed during emergency wildfire duty and ultimately passed away. This official practiced sharing even on his final journey through organ donation.

According to the Korea Forest Service on the 12th, forestry official Mr. A lost consciousness around 3 p.m. on the 7th while on spring wildfire emergency duty at the Jeongeup National Forest Management Office and was transported to a hospital for treatment.

He was unable to overcome accumulated fatigue from dedicating himself to on-site mobile patrols and emergency duty, even giving up weekends.

And despite the surrounding winds, Mr. A eventually passed away on the 11th.

The Korea Forest Service announced the sad news of his passing along with the information that, according to the family's wishes, his organs will be donated to others. This reflects the family's desire for the deceased, who was a public official, to continue serving the people until the very end.

The Korea Forest Service will send him off with a funeral led by the head of the Western Regional Forest Service. Due to the spread of infectious diseases, the funeral scale will be reduced, but the Korea Forest Service explained that the funeral will not be neglected so that the deceased’s lifetime efforts are not in vain.

Meanwhile, the deceased was born in 1974 and graduated from Jeonbuk National University before entering public service in 2002. Over the past 17 years of public service, he is reported to have contributed to the development of forest administration through exceptional dedication.