Traffic Accident While Returning Home After Early Morning Marathon Training... Man in His 60s Gives New Life to Five Before Passing Away

Obtained Sign Language Certificate to Help the Hearing Impaired
Traffic Accident Occurred While Returning Home After Early Morning Marathon Training

Kim Namyeon, who gifted new life to five people through brain-dead organ donation. Korea Organ and Tissue Donation Agency

A man in his 60s who fell into a brain-dead state after a traffic accident during marathon training has given new life to five people through organ donation.

According to the Korea Organ and Tissue Donation Agency on November 13, Kim Namyeon (age 62) passed away at Daegu Catholic University Hospital on September 19 after donating his lungs, liver, both kidneys, and eyes to five recipients.

On the early morning of September 14, Kim left home to train for a marathon. While returning home, he lost consciousness and collapsed due to a traffic accident. He was rushed to the hospital for treatment, but ultimately did not regain consciousness and fell into a brain-dead state.

Kim had registered as an organ donor in 2009, and it is said that during his lifetime, he often told his family and acquaintances that saving another life through sharing life would be his greatest happiness. His family decided to honor his wishes by proceeding with the donation.

Born in Seongju County, North Gyeongsang Province, Kim started working early due to difficult family circumstances and continued to work diligently for a long time, most recently as a wildfire prevention worker and a construction site laborer. Known for his caring nature, he even obtained a sign language certificate to assist people with hearing impairments around him.

Even after turning 60, Kim set a goal of completing a full marathon in under 3 hours and 45 minutes, leaving home every day at 4 a.m. to train. On the day of the accident, he was returning home after his usual workout when the incident occurred.

Kim's older brother, Kim Hongyeon, said, "I am proud of my brother for making the admirable decision to save other lives at the end of his own. He gave everything he had, and I hope he can rest peacefully in heaven, having gained everything."