Former Olympic Hockey Player Park Soon-ja Passes Away After Donating Organs to Save Four Lives

Park Soon-ja (박순자), a 58-year-old former Olympic silver medalist in women's hockey from the 1988 Seoul Olympics and gold medalist from the 1986 Asian Games, has passed away after donating her organs to save four individuals. The Korea Organ Donation Agency announced that Park donated her heart, lungs, liver, and both kidneys following her brain death on November 30 at Kyung Hee University Hospital.

Park had been receiving treatment for headaches since September and collapsed at a swimming pool near her home on November 21. Despite being rushed to the hospital, she did not regain consciousness and was declared brain dead. Throughout her life, Park expressed her desire to become an organ donor after learning about the plight of those who die waiting for transplants. Her family honored her wishes by consenting to the organ donation.

Born as the youngest of five siblings in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, Park was known for her active lifestyle and her willingness to help those in need. She initially excelled in athletics during middle school before switching to hockey in high school, where she achieved remarkable success, winning a gold medal at the 1986 Asian Games and a silver medal at the 1988 Olympics.

After retiring from the national team, Park continued to support her community by donating monthly to those in need and engaging in volunteer work. She remained physically active, enjoying hiking, swimming, marathon running, and cycling, even completing the Han River Triathlon and the Seoul Peace Marathon 10K this year.

Her son, Kim Tae-ho (김태호), expressed his gratitude, saying, "My mom told me she loved me every day, and I regret not saying it back as often. I love you and thank you so much."