Certified as the Longest-Term Blood Donor in Korea with 401 Donations over 50 Years

Jeonnam Jangseong's Kim Byung-gu, From High School Student to Blood Donation Retirement Age

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] Kim Byung-gu (69), who has participated in blood donation for nearly 50 years, has been recognized for having the longest period of regular blood donation in South Korea.

The Korean Red Cross Blood Management Headquarters presented Kim with the highest record certificate in the category of 'Longest Period of Regular Blood Donation' from the KRI Korea Records Institute on the 23rd. Living in Jangseong, Jeollanam-do, Kim was reviewed with blood donation certificates, annual blood donation lists, commendations, and photos, and was officially recorded by the Korea Records Institute for an average of about 8 donations per year over the past 49 years, totaling 401 blood donations.

Kim first donated blood in September 1971 when he was a high school student, after seeing a blood donation encouragement sign while passing through Seodaemun Rotary by chance. At that time, a counselor from the Korea Blood Donation Association told him, "Blood donation is saving lives by giving my blood to others," which became the motivation. Since then, he has consistently donated blood until April of this year, when the blood donation retirement age was reached.

Kim said, "This long-term blood donation record is meaningful as a newly established official title that sets the standard for records in this field," adding, "I am grateful to the Korea Records Institute for creating a new title in the blood donation field, and I feel rewarded to have contributed to establishing a culture of voluntary blood donation."