Kim Sung-jin, 80, aspires to become a Korean Lei Feng, the Chinese soldier and martyr who has been held up as an example to Chinese youth since the early 1960s. The doctor prefers to do good deeds in Qingdao, rather than live an affluent life in South Korea.
"I do not have much money to help the poor. The only thing I can do is to use my medical skills to help patients. It is a doctor's duty," Kim says.
As a PhD of respiratory medicine at Seoul National University, Kim was appointed physician at the International Clinic of Qingdao Municipal Hospital, in 2004. To help more people and be useful in his spare time, he planned and set up Qingdao Life Care Foundation, with the help of the Qingdao Red Cross Society.
As the president of the foundation, Kim keeps himself busy seeing patients, arranging free mobile clinics in poor villages and taking part in the activities of the Red Cross Society.
"Expatriates often feel an inconvenience brought on by the language barrier when seeking medical treatment. Our volunteers provide services such as translation," Kim says.
Besides serving the patients, the foundation organizes monthly checkups for people in the countryside. Some 40 people are involved in this activity, including Korean and Chinese doctors, nurses and service staff. Since 2005, the foundation has treated some 4,000 farmers.
"If we cannot handle the situation on the spot, we will send the patient back to hospital and support the patient with treatment when necessary," he says.
To raise funds, Korean volunteers established a bring-and-buy shop. Over the past three years, the Life Care Shop has donated about 200,000 yuan (US$27,000) to the Red Cross Society, which has helped save more than 30 patients, Kim says.
The foundation has received help from the Republic of Korea's Consulate in Qingdao and the Chinese Commerce and Industry Association. Consul General of the Republic of Korea Kim Sun-heung has visited the clinic many times to encourage volunteers and Yun Sa-im, his wife, is one of the foundation's volunteers.
The International Clinic of Qingdao Municipal Hospital has been designated the official clinic of the Olympic sailing regatta next year. Kim says the foundation's volunteers will support the regatta with enthusiasm and hard work.
Kim says they are planning to cooperate with other international medical charity organizations and intend to buy a fully-equipped medical van, so they can reach out to more patients.
Though he cannot speak Chinese well, Kim can write beautiful Chinese characters. During our interview, sometimes, he resorts to writing in order to better express himself.
He says he enjoys his life in Qingdao.
"I have been to the Qingdao Beer Festival. Qingdao Beer is excellent."
Kim is in good health and plays golf in his spare time. Every morning he walks for an hour along the coast.
"To look after others I have to look after my own health first," he says.
Chinese doctors were full of praise for Kim.
"Kim is kind and willing to help others and is very knowledgeable. He was an adviser for WHO. I have learned many things from him," says Geng Changxin, a Chinese doctor who works with the foundation.
"It enriches my spiritual world to take part in the foundation. When the villagers recover after being treated, I feel fulfilled. It is very meaningful," Geng adds.
Kim intends to keep doing charitable work in Qingdao as long as his health permits. He says he encourages himself by thinking of the slogan of the International Committee of Red Cross, printed on his name card: "Humanity, Charity, and Service".
(China Daily December 24, 2007)
