Grandmother Park Chun-ja Passes Away at 94
"A Wonderful Life of Sharing Until Her Last Moment"
Former President Moon Jae-in paid tribute to the late Park Chun-ja, known as the "Gimbap Grandma," who donated her entire fortune, accumulated over 50 years of selling gimbap, to help those in need.
On the 16th, former President Moon wrote on Facebook, "I heard late news that Grandma Park Chun-ja has passed away," adding, "She donated the 50 million won deposit from the monthly rent of her house to the Child Welfare Foundation, living a wonderful life of sharing until her last moment."
Earlier, the Green Umbrella Children’s Foundation announced that Grandma Park donated the 50 million won deposit from her residence according to her wishes before passing away on the 11th.
Former President Moon said, "In 2021, I invited Grandma Park to a donation and sharing event held at the Blue House," and recalled, "I remember her shedding tears throughout the event as she reminisced about her difficult childhood, saying 'Sharing was the greatest happiness.'" He added, "Grandma Park showed us that sharing is not about having a lot, but that anyone can live a life of sharing?whether it be money, talent, or heart. I pray for her eternal rest and reflect once again on the meaning of sharing."
At the 2021 donation and sharing event held at the Blue House, Grandma Park, seated next to First Lady Kim Jung-sook, spoke when it was her turn, saying, "I was poor and hungry because I had no money. The moment I ate, I was so happy. I liked it so much that I wanted to give to others. Giving money to those who have none felt like giving happiness." She continued, "Since then, whenever I had money, I gave it all away. There is nothing more pleasant than sharing." She explained the reason behind her donations. She added, "I lived giving everything away for over ninety years and then received an unexpected invitation to the Blue House. I wondered if such a thing could happen. But when I held the hand that First Lady Kim Jung-sook extended to me, I suddenly remembered my father holding my hand when I was a child. So, I ended up crying in front of such precious people. I am sorry," shedding tears.
Born in 1929, Grandma Park started selling gimbap around the age of 10 near Gyeongseong Station (now Seoul Station), avoiding Japanese police patrols. Raised by a widowed father, she was unable to continue her education after the first year of middle school. She donated 330 million won, which she earned by selling gimbap daily to hikers at the entrance of Namhansanseong, to the Green Umbrella Foundation in 2008, saying, "I want to help children who have to give up their studies due to lack of money." Even after stopping her gimbap business, she took in 11 intellectually disabled individuals into her home and cared for them like her own children for over 20 years, and donated 300 million won to a convent to build a group home for the disabled. She moved out of her rented house and entered a social welfare facility in 2021, and also promised to donate the deposit of her rented house as part of her will. In September 2021, she received the LG Hero Award from the LG Welfare Foundation and donated the 50 million won prize money she received at that time.
After the funeral, Grandma Park was laid to rest at Anseong Memorial Park in Gyeonggi Province.
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