Kang Min-su, 19, donated his heart, lungs, liver, pancreas, both kidneys and both corneas to seven recipients after being declared brain-dead at Myongji Hospital on Sept. 30, according to the Korea Organ and Tissue Donation Agency on Thursday. [Korea Organ and Tissue Donation Agency]
Kang Min-su, 19, donated his heart, lungs, liver, pancreas, both kidneys and both corneas to seven recipients after being declared brain-dead at Myongji Hospital on Sept. 30, according to the Korea Organ and Tissue Donation Agency on Thursday. [Korea Organ and Tissue Donation Agency]

A 19-year-old who dreamed of becoming a chef gave seven patients a new chance at life through brain-death organ donation before passing away.

According to the Korea Organ and Tissue Donation Agency on Thursday, Kang Min-su, 19, donated his heart, lungs, liver, pancreas, both kidneys and both corneas to seven recipients after being declared brain-dead at Myongji Hospital on Sept. 30.

Kang's parents decided to donate their son's organs after recalling how he could never walk past someone in need without stopping to help. They believed that if there was something he could do to help others, it would have been what he wanted.

"It is a great comfort to think that Minsu's heart is beating well somewhere in someone's body," his father, Kang Seong-won, said.

Born in Busan as the second of two children, Kang had dreamed since childhood of becoming a chef and opening his own restaurant. To pursue that dream, he enrolled in a culinary high school and attended a cooking hagwon to sharpen his skills. He would also cook meals and bake bread for his family in his spare time. His father said the ramyun his son made for him is what he remembers most, and that he still cannot forget the taste.

In a final farewell, the father said to his son: "Minsu, I miss your face and your voice as you ran up to me calling 'Dad' so much. Dad will always be here, so come visit every now and then. I miss you so much, and I love you."


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