Han, 64, is a cancer patient. Even while undergoing treatment, for 15 years she cared for both her mother-in-law and her own mother, who are older than she is. Whenever either mother needed to go out for hospital appointments, she accompanied them each time to ensure they were not inconvenienced. She also took responsibility for cleaning both households, preparing side dishes, and even bathing.

Han has also served on a voluntary neighborhood watch for 11 years. She joined night patrols to prevent safety incidents in parks and worked as a member of the local Recycling Promotion Council; on the 6th she received a Seoul Metropolitan Government commendation for filial devotion.

Ahead of Parents Day, the Seoul Metropolitan Government on the 6th awarded commendations to 21 people, including Han, who have long practiced filial devotion. Four exemplary parents who raised their children properly despite difficult circumstances and served their communities, and five organizations that contributed to improving welfare for seniors, also received commendations that day for the practice of filial devotion.

‘Exemplary Parent Commendation’ recipient Choi, 65, had a child who was born with combined brain lesion and intellectual disabilities. Despite financial hardship, Choi devoted themself to caring for the child.

One day, the child developed cancer. Although Choi was also in poor health, they worked to save the child. With help from the local community, the child underwent surgery, was discharged, and is recovering. Although Choi is a basic livelihood security recipient, to express gratitude to the hospital that performed the surgery and to the community that helped cover the surgical costs, Choi donated about 10 million won that they had saved.

Since 2023, the Dongjak-gu Association of Korean Medicine, together with the Dongjak-gu Office, has provided traditional medicine services to vulnerable groups and this year received the ‘Commendation for Organizations and Institutions Contributing to Filial Piety’. When a dong community center identifies someone in need of traditional medicine services, a Korean medicine doctor close to the person’s home makes a house call, provides treatment, and then offers herbal medicine; this volunteer work has continued for four years.

In the first year of implementation, 27 Korean medicine clinics took part, and this year the number has increased to 40, enabling many low-income seniors in the area to receive traditional medical treatment.

Kim Seong-bo, Acting Mayor of Seoul, said, “Everyone honored today is a role model of our time”, and “The Seoul Metropolitan Government will do its utmost to spread the spirit of filial devotion of the award recipients and to build ‘Seoul, the city of filial piety’ where older adults are respected and can live happily”.