Family of the late Shin Han-cheol, victim of the tragedy
"We want to help public education"
Plan to donate 87.92 million KRW to the deceased's alma mater
The bereaved family of the late Shin Han-cheol, a victim of the October 29 Itaewon tragedy, donated the entire condolence money from the funeral to the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education. According to the family's wishes, the condolence money will be delivered to the late victim's alma mater elementary, middle, and high schools.
Kang Min-seok, spokesperson for the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, stated in a written briefing on the 26th, "About a month ago, the four family members decided to donate the entire condolence money collected at the funeral to the late victim's alma mater and conveyed their intention to donate to the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education."
The family plans to donate the full amount of 87,915,000 KRW to Seoul Balsan Elementary School, Sinwol Middle School, and Gwangyeong High School.
In a memorial message released along with the donation agreement, the family said, "We are so sorry we couldn't protect you," and added, "We hope you are filled with happiness without any worries there. We will never forget and always remember you. We love you, our son."
The late victim's father, Shin Hyun-guk, expressed his intention to donate through a media outlet, saying, "Ahead of the first anniversary of the Itaewon tragedy, I want to help public education rather than universities," according to the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education.
Shin said, "Whenever there were stories about people in need, whether in Africa or elsewhere, and donation guidance through ARS (automatic response system) came up on broadcasts, I always pressed the button," adding, "The donation is Han-cheol's will."
The late victim's mother, Song Seon-ja, also said, "I knew my son was donating, but after the tragedy, when I checked his bankbook, I saw he had been doing it for 7 years and 3 months," adding, "Donation was my son's dream."
Donation agreement delivered by the bereaved family of the late Shin Han-cheol. [Photo by Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education]
Following the family's wish that the donation be used for children suffering from hunger or low-income students, the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education announced that the donation will be distributed in the ratio of 20% (Balsan Elementary), 30% (Sinwol Middle), and 50% (Gwangyeong High).
The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education plans to hold a donation ceremony on the morning of the 27th to deliver the donation.
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