BTS's Suga Donates 5 Billion Won for Autism Treatment Center

On June 23, Severance Hospital announced the groundbreaking ceremony for the Min Yoongi Treatment Center, dedicated to children with autism spectrum disorder, following a generous donation of 5 billion won from Suga of BTS (방탄소년단). This significant contribution has sparked a wave of additional support from fans eager to contribute.

As of 9 AM on June 24, the total donations from the public for the Min Yoongi Treatment Center surpassed 200 million won, just one day after the announcement of Suga's donation. The groundbreaking ceremony took place on the first floor of the hospital's Jejung-gwan building. Suga reportedly decided to make this donation after learning from Professor Cheon Geun-ah, a leading expert in child psychiatry at Severance Hospital, that children with autism require long-term treatment lasting over a decade. His donation marks the highest amount ever contributed by a celebrity to Yonsei Medical Center.

Following the news, the External Cooperation Office at Yonsei Medical Center received numerous inquiries about donations from both the ARMY (BTS's fandom) and the general public. In response, the medical center added a dedicated section for the Min Yoongi Treatment Center on its official website for ongoing contributions. Within just six and a half hours, donations exceeded 100 million won, and within a day, they surpassed 200 million won. With many international fans asking about donation methods via social media, it is anticipated that contributions will increase significantly if overseas remittance channels are established.

The Min Yoongi Treatment Center is expected to be completed in September. It will offer various programs aimed at supporting the mental health of children and adolescents, including language, psychological, and behavioral therapies, while also integrating clinical and research initiatives. Since March, Suga has been actively involved in developing programs by meeting with children with autism on weekends. He expressed his gratitude, stating, "Being part of the treatment process for children with autism spectrum disorder has been a great blessing and happiness. I will continue to support so that more children can be part of our society."