93-Year-Old Haenyeo Bu Geum-hyeon Donates 100 Million Won Saved Over a Lifetime to University

Donation of University Development Fund to Samyuk University
From Age 17 to 81, Working as a Haenyeo Diver
Worked Lifelong Without Rest

Supporting Over 80 Middle, High School, and University Students
"I Want to Leave the World with an Empty Heart"

Grandmother Bugumhyeon (Provided by Samyook University)

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] Grandma Bu Geum-hyun (93, pictured), who lives in Jeju, donated 100 million won, the fortune she had saved throughout her life, to Samyook University.

Samyook University announced on the 21st that Grandma Bu handed over the university development fund to Kim Jeong-sook, Director of External Cooperation, on the 18th, saying, "Please use it to nurture outstanding talents."

Grandma Bu started diving for sea products at the age of 17 and worked as a haenyeo for over 60 years until she was 81. On bad weather days, she earned money through farming, trading, and piecework. The money she carefully saved was used to support students studying under difficult circumstances. Having no children, Grandma Bu sponsored about 80 middle, high school, and university students throughout her life. The late Professor Han Seong-bo, former Dean of the Samyook University Theological College, and former Professor Oh Man-gyu also received scholarships from Grandma Bu during their university days and regarded her like a mother.

Recently, Grandma Bu, thinking "I want to leave this world with an empty heart," organized her land and distributed it to her nephews and neighbors in need. Among this, 100 million won was donated to Samyook University according to her wish to dedicate it to educational projects.

Grandma Bu said, "Helping others brings me joy; spending money on myself did not bring much happiness," and added, "Although it is not a large sum, I hope the donation will be used to nurture outstanding talents who will lead this country in the future."