Fled during the Korean War and lived in hardship, started as a Seoul Grade 9 official, served as Eunpyeong District Mayor until June 1996, retired after 34 years in public service, then began helping neighbors in need... Awarded the Government's National Medal of Honor, Pomegranate Class, in 2021
Former Eunpyeong District Mayor Kwon O-rok (center) and Baek Kyung-hak, Executive Director of the Purme Foundation (right)
It has become a hot topic that Mr. Kwon O-rok, an 88-year-old elder who served as the appointed mayor of Eunpyeong District, donated a huge sum of 2.2 billion won to help neighbors in need after his retirement.
Baek Kyung-hak, Executive Director of the Purme Foundation, revealed this story on Facebook on the 23rd with a post titled "A Certain Elder."
In February 2019, the Purme Foundation invited Professor Kim Hyung-seok, Emeritus Professor of Philosophy at Yonsei University, as a speaker for the supporters' meeting called "The Miracles," organizing a lecture titled "Life Wisdom Learned by a 100-Year-Old Philosopher."
Professor Kim said, "From now on, live a life of sharing and giving to be happy," which was reported in the morning newspapers the next day.
That afternoon, a phone call came to the office. A bank employee asked where a customer who wanted to donate could send the funds. Shortly after, it was confirmed that 10 million won had been deposited. When the foundation staff persuaded the bank employee to get the donor’s contact information and called to express thanks, the donor bluntly said, "I saw Professor Kim Hyung-seok’s words in the newspaper: ‘Those who travel a long way take only what is necessary. Life is the same. To live well, leave only what is necessary and give the rest to others.’ I felt moved and sent this because I am doing good for children with disabilities.
Then he said there was no need to meet or contact him again and hung up."
Director Baek then personally called back, saying, "Since you have given such a large donation, it is only proper to visit you and give you a receipt," and finally visited the elder’s two-story Western-style house in Cheongdam-dong.
He recalled being guided upstairs to the second-floor living room, where plaques of appreciation from Green Umbrella, the Red Cross, and the Community Chest of Korea were displayed.
Mr. Kwon said, "I donated because the professor told me to spend money meaningfully, but what is there to boast about?" and corrected his age to 85 at that time.
He was born as the son of a wealthy farmer in Galhyeon-ri, Baekhak-myeon, Yeoncheon-gun, Gyeonggi Province, North Korea. His father was a generous man who opened the granary during famine seasons to share rice and waived tenant fees. Having studied classical Chinese literature all his life, his father established a tutorial school with two classrooms to teach villagers how to read and write.
During the Korean War, his family fled south and endured hardships. After the war, they settled near their hometown in Uijeongbu. He graduated from Daedong Commercial High School and Konkuk University, then entered Seoul City Hall as a level 9 clerk in 1962, serving as a public official for 34 years.
He shared stories of working in the personnel department with former Seoul Mayor Lee Won-jong, who later passed the administrative exam and became mayor. He also recounted being appointed head of the civil affairs office in Songpa District, newly established during the 1988 Seoul Olympics.
He retired in June 1996 after serving as mayor of Eunpyeong District, concluding his 34-year career as a public servant.
Mr. Kwon said, "While working at Seoul City Hall, I met many people in difficult circumstances. After retirement, having some leisure, I remembered those who were poor and decided to start sharing from then on."
He suddenly stood up, saying he did not need plaques or receipts, and took the bus and subway to leave.
Mr. Kwon said, "My father never told his children to give to others. He only showed a life of helping neighbors through his actions. That image never fades. My donations are an effort to emulate my father’s example."
The government awarded Mr. Kwon O-rok the Order of Civil Merit, the Mugunghwa Medal, in 2021, recognizing his lifelong practice of sharing based on public nominations.
Director Baek concluded his post by saying, "Mr. Kwon O-rok, who recently celebrated his 88th birthday, has a bright smile. He is a true elder who gives great resonance to our society."
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