77-Year-Old Park Wisu, the 'Random Volunteer King' of Uiryeong

Supporting 11 Neighbors with 50,000 Won Monthly

Over 20 Years of Bathing and Meal Volunteer Service

Elderly Park Wi-su from Uiryeong-gun, Gyeongnam, is presenting a scholarship of 3 million won to County Governor Oh Tae-wan.
[Image source=Uiryeong County Office]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Wook] Oh Tae-wan, the governor of Uiryeong-gun, Gyeongnam, recently heard from an elderly person who came to deliver a scholarship, saying, "Please tell me the account number of someone in need."

Park Wi-soo (77) spoke loudly and clearly about volunteering despite his old age. The crumpled paper in his wallet was filled with the names of people who regularly donate every month. He said that seeing the bank statements showing regular monthly donations despite the hardships of farming gives him strength. Park supports 11 individuals and 2 organizations. The monthly amount he spends exceeds 500,000 won.

Park, who lives in Yusu Village, Hwajeong-myeon, Uiryeong-gun, visited the Uiryeong County Office on the 9th and donated 3 million won to the Uiryeong County Scholarship Foundation, saying he grew Daebong persimmons this year, made dried persimmons, and sold 250 boxes.

In fact, Park was reluctant to publicly donate, even taking photos with the governor. He said it was the first time in his volunteering life. The reason Park changed his mind was to express gratitude for the benefits he recently received from Uiryeong-gun.

He recently underwent knee cartilage surgery and received 2 million won in surgery cost support from the county. He also expressed gratitude for Uiryeong-gun’s detailed elderly welfare policies, saying that the support policy for elderly haircuts and bathing fees is practically very helpful.

Park’s volunteering life goes back 30 years. He ran a small fruit shop in Busan, and one day, a monk from a temple he delivered to told him, "Feeding the hungry and giving water to the thirsty is a way to accumulate merit greater than doing temple rituals twelve times."

From then on, Park started bathing and meal service volunteering. Especially, he continued bathing volunteering for 20 years, and at that time, there were no male volunteers for bathing.

Park smiled and said, "Once a week, I would take elderly people to the bathhouse, pay 10,000 won, and bathe five people. Volunteers could bathe for free, so it was good."

Even after returning to his hometown, Park’s volunteering activities never stopped. After losing his wife three years ago, he has been more devoted to volunteering. Park said, "After my wife left, all that remains is truly volunteering. Helping others makes me feel better," revealing his longing for his departed wife.

Park revealed that he secretly donates 50,000 won monthly to 11 disadvantaged neighbors, including grandparent-grandchild families, and said he does not know exactly who they are except for their names. He set up automatic transfers for five years, hoping they will grow up and at least prepare for college tuition.

He also donates 40,000 won monthly to the Sharing Refrigerator, a unique Uiryeong-gun project that provides food to low-income families, supported by companies and individuals.

Park donates all of his regular income of 500,000 won, including the basic pension paid by the government. He supplements this with some income from persimmon farming. When he has a large sum of money that year, he donates generously. No matter how much money he has to spend, he first fills the account for helping neighbors in need.

Park said, "If you give a lot of charity, it will come back to bless you later. After donating once and turning around, the feeling of satisfaction is indescribable."

When Park met Governor Oh, he said, "I want to support about two more low-income people, so please find out the account number." He also expressed his intention to regularly support the senior citizen dining hall that provides free meals to low-income elderly.

Jang Myung-wook, the public relations media officer of Uiryeong-gun who met Grandpa Park that day, asked about his future plans.

He said, "What plans would I have at 80 years old? I just want to live helping neighbors together and then leave."

Finally, Officer Jang asked, "Grandpa, why do you donate so much?"

The answer came like a death knell.

"Why would there be a reason? Young man, what’s the use of living well alone?"