Yonsei University Health System said Tuesday that its fundraising for the 2025 academic year (March 2025 to February 2026) totaled 83.04 billion won ($60 million), setting a record high for the fourth consecutive year.
Donations last year surged 54.9% from 53.6 billion won the previous year, according to the medical center. A total of 12,615 donors contributed, with individual patients and private donors accounting for the largest share at 59.2%, or 7,469 people. Donations from individual patients and private donors reached 56.3 billion won.
The single largest donation last year exceeded 20 billion won. The late Lee Min-hu donated 4,400 shares of Korea Line Corporation stock worth approximately 20.3 billion won to Gangnam Severance Hospital as a development fund in September last year. The bequest marked the largest legacy donation in Yonsei Medical Center's history.
Celebrities also made notable contributions. BTS member Suga (real name Min Yun-gi) donated 5 billion won to establish a specialized treatment center for autism spectrum disorder. Jang Won-young of girl group IVE and actor Byeon Woo-seok donated 200 million won and 100 million won respectively to support treatment for pediatric patients.
"The trust of donors who supported our mission despite difficult conditions such as high inflation made this achievement possible," said Keum Ki-chang, president of Yonsei University Health System. "We will do our best to use the funds properly so that their warm influence reaches every corner of society."