For S Korean ophthalmologist fighting Third World blindness, Card Kim’s gift changed him
Joo Choun-ki is one of South Korea’s leading ophthalmologists. Dean of the University of Korea College of Medicine, he studied cataracts for decades. After the archbishop of Seoul died, he transplanted his corneas to restore sight in others. This “gesture of love changed my life." Now he is helping children in Kenya, China, Haiti and Nepal.
Seoul (AsiaNews) – Joo Choun-ki is one of South Korea’s leading ophthalmologists, and dean of the Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine in Seoul. He has studied cataracts for decades. Now his life is dedicated to the less fortunate.
"I never wanted to be an excellent doctor, just a good doctor,” he said, but the death and spiritual testament of Cardinal Stephen Kim Sou-hwan "opened my eyes. I transplanted the late archbishop’s corneas, in accordance with his last will, and that gesture of love changed my life. "
Scores of children in Kenya, mainland China and Haiti can testify to that. The doctor began to volunteer once a year, but what was a marginal commitment has become the centerpiece of his life.
"Card Kim’s death was the most powerful message I could get,” he explained. “He was one of the most prominent spiritual leaders of the country, and he left behind his corneas and a rosary. I started to think about what is really important in life. "
For Joo, something the archbishop said was a kind of crossroads. "He often said that, had he not become a priest, he would have liked to be a doctor to brighten the world. I thought a lot about that, and I realised several things."
In late 2009, when Kim died, Joo went to Kenya. "Children living in shelters in that country are all suffering from eye problems, caused by the ashes of indoor fires. Not being able to help everyone broke my heart." Still, thanks to his work, 18 children at Kericho Hospital re-opened their eyes.
"Seeing their joy and their mothers’ gratitude made me realise what's really worth in life." Cataracts are the cause of 51 per cent of all cases of blindness in the world.
About 20 million people no longer see because of this problem, which in developed countries is very easy to solve. In the Third World, it represents a life sentence with chance of appeal.
After Kenya, Joo volunteered in mainland China and Haiti. He is now planning a trip to Nepal.
"I am almost 60 years old, and from now on I want to do what is really important. At the same time, I want to do something that gives me so much joy. Life is too short to sacrifice it in the search for something that I could never reach."
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