Jung Min-ho has worked as a staff writer at The Korea Times since 2012, mostly covering social and political issues. He currently belongs to the Politics & City Desk where he covers topics such as health, labor and human rights. Prior to joining the team, he was responsible for covering North Korea and sports. His article about a biosecurity breach of Middle East respiratory syndrome won him an award from the Korea Science Journalists Association in 2016. He is also the co-author of the book, "Medical Pioneers of Korea" (2019). He served as the head of the international relations committee at the Journalists Association of Korea from 2021 to 2023.
Teenager donates hair to support children battling cancer
A high school student donated 50 centimeters of her hair to be made into wigs for children battling cancer.
Lee Soo-jung
By Jung Min-ho
According to the Danyang County Office in North Chungcheong Province, Lee Soo-jung, a 17-year-old sophomore at Danyang High School, donated her hair to Goodness Hair, a charity that provides natural wigs free of charge to children who have lost their hair due to cancer.
“I decided to donate it to cheer up children suffering from cancer,” she said. “I will continue to volunteer with other friends in Danyang to help our community.”
Lee came up with the plan three years ago and has since taken special care to keep her hair in a condition suitable for donation. She regularly tied it into a ponytail with rubber bands to keep it clean and dry, while avoiding any treatments like bleaching or perms that could compromise the hair's quality.
“For the past three years, she took care of her hair,” said her mother, Kwon Eun-jin, adding that she was proud of her daughter’s patience in working toward such a worthwhile goal.
Since childhood, Lee has actively participated in social initiatives, including a county program that allows young people to propose policy ideas to local officials. In recognition of her contributions, she was awarded a certificate last year by the county head, Kim Moon-geun.
According to Goodness Hair, about 1,500 children and adolescents under 20 are diagnosed with cancer in Korea each year.