"People said I was profiting from my dead child. I was even asked if I sold organs for money."
Song Jong-bin, who lost his 35-year-old daughter in a 2013 traffic accident and decided to donate her organs after brain death, shared these painful experiences in an interview with Seoul Economic Daily on the 13th. His decision to appear in media interviews—believing it would help raise awareness about organ donation—backfired. Instead of empathy for his noble decision, he received only suspicion, leaving another wound.
"Still, I had no choice but to speak out," Song said calmly. He believes the stagnation in organ donation stems not just from institutional limitations but from distorted perceptions and fears surrounding brain death and donation. Song pointed to vague fears about bodily disfigurement, distrust of medical professionals, and hopes for a miracle as factors that delay decisions. Meanwhile, organs miss their golden window for transplantation. He admitted that even he "repeatedly wished the doctor had made a wrong diagnosis" when facing the decision.
What ultimately led him to donate was his daughter's wish. He cannot forget her saying, "When I die, I want to donate my organs." He felt it was the family's responsibility to honor her wishes. Learning that transplant recipients and their families endure each day clinging to the hope of survival also compelled his decision.
Song did not stop there. Believing bereaved families must lead the effort to change perceptions, he donated approximately 20 million won to establish a choir of donor families. He continues to perform and lecture at hospitals and schools. "One-time events leave nothing behind," he explained. "When bereaved families speak out directly, it helps dissolve social misunderstandings."
He also criticized misinformation circulating on YouTube and other social media platforms for causing additional pain to families. "Sensational posts and false information make things harder for bereaved families and discourage organ donation," Song said. "When distorted information and suspicions spread, donations plummet. We must filter out false information."
"Donation isn't something only special people do, but someone has to do it," Song concluded. "Only when society views donors as people to remember rather than suspects, and when an atmosphere develops where bereaved families can feel pride, will organ donation truly spread."
