Son with brain lesion disability donates kidney to ailing mother

A man in his 30s living with a brain lesion disability has donated a kidney to his mother, drawing wide admiration.

Choi Woo-jin, 39, donated his left kidney to his mother Ha Da-gam, 67, at Bongsheng Memorial Hospital in Busan's Dong-gu on Aug. 11, according to Yonhap.

The surgery came after Choi decided to donate his kidney to his mother, who had been undergoing hemodialysis for years.

Medical staff carefully prepared for the procedure, verifying Choi's health condition, his understanding of the surgery, and whether his decision was made voluntarily.

Choi was diagnosed with a second-degree brain lesion disability in second grade, but went on to complete his primary, middle and high school education at mainstream schools and graduated from a four-year university in Busan.

He later held jobs and worked as an administrative assistant, and more recently has been helping with his family's pension guesthouse while preparing for a civil servant exam in social welfare.

Ha had suffered from diabetes for years, developing complications including diabetic retinopathy, and had been receiving hemodialysis since February 2023.

She required dialysis several times a week, with each session lasting four hours.

Choi had consistently expressed his wish to donate his kidney to his mother for three years.

Ha had repeatedly refused, worried about her son's disability and his long-term health, but recently agreed to accept the donation.

"All I want is for my mother to stay by my side for a long time, and for our family to live together in harmony," Choi told Yonhap.

A hospital official said both patients recovered safely without any notable complications in the roughly two weeks following the surgery. "We hope they both return to their daily lives," the official added.