Founder of Yosep Clinic, Dr. Sunwoo Kyung-sik's Biography First Revealed in Book
Donated 10 Million Won in 2003 and Has Sent Monthly Contributions Since
Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong's long-standing support for Yosep Clinic, which has been providing free medical care to patients in jjokbangchon (small-room villages) for over 20 years, was revealed belatedly. Lee's benevolence is documented in the book "Doctor Seon Woo Gyeong-sik," which covers the life of the late Seon Woo Gyeong-sik, the founder of Yosep Clinic.
In 2003, Lee Jae-yong, then Executive Director of Samsung Electronics, visited Joseph Clinic, which treats extremely poor patients in a shantytown. [Photo by Wisdom House]
According to the book, on June 27, 2003, while serving as an executive director, Lee visited Yosep Clinic in utmost secrecy along with company officials. This was shortly after Director Seon Woo Gyeong-sik received the Samsung Ho-Am Prize. Samsung preferred not to disclose this visit externally, and Director Seon shared the same sentiment.
Guided by Director Seon, Lee toured every corner of the clinic. He looked around the kitchen, bathroom, laundry room, and barbershop with a sense of wonder, surprised that such facilities existed within the clinic.
At that time, Director Seon asked, “Have you ever been to a place called jjokbangchon?” Lee replied, “I don't have much social experience and mostly stay at the company, so I have not yet visited jjokbangchon.” With Lee’s willing agreement, they proceeded to visit a household in the jjokbangchon near Yosep Clinic.
Inside the single-room dwelling were a man asleep drunk, a woman who had recently undergone appendectomy, and two children. Observing the room over Director Seon’s shoulder, Lee let out a small groan and covered his mouth with his hand. Those present explained that it was the first time Lee had seen people living in such harsh conditions, and he was holding back tears that threatened to spill.
After touring the jjokbangchon area, he said, “It was my first time seeing people living like this, and the shock was so great that my mind still feels blank.” He then handed Director Seon an envelope containing 10 million won. It was his personal money, not company funds. Since then, Yosep Clinic has received a fixed monthly donation from Lee.
Lee continued to visit Yosep Clinic in casual attire. During his search for social contribution projects, he also collaborated with Director Seon to launch the "Meal House Project" for homeless and impoverished people. However, when nearby elementary school parents learned of this, they protested at Samsung Electronics headquarters, opposing the project on the grounds that it would attract homeless people. Ultimately, the project was canceled.
This anecdote is detailed in the book’s chapter titled "Samsung Electronics Executive Director Lee Jae-yong Swallows Tears Over the Reality of Jjokbangchon." Both Lee and Samsung Electronics kept these matters strictly confidential.
Meanwhile, Director Seon, who never married and devoted his life to free medical care, suffered from acute cerebral infarction and stomach cancer but continued to work for his patients until he passed away in 2008 at the age of 63.
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