'Collision with illegal U-turn vehicle → 4 organ donations': Memorial funds and scholarships presented to the family of the late national rugby medalist

*This content was translated by AI.

OK Eutman Rugby Team, operated by OK Financial Group (Chairman Choi Yun), announced on the 4th that it had delivered memorial funds collected together with rugby players nationwide to the family of the late Yoon Tae-il, a former national rugby player who passed away after saving four lives through brain death organ donation.

The OK Eutman Rugby Team delivered the full amount of the memorial funds on the 3rd, following the conclusion of the first match of Round 6 of the '2026 National Corporate Rugby League,' with the family in attendance. It is understood that over 130 people participated in this fundraising effort.

The late Yoon won bronze medals in men's rugby at the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games and the 2014 Incheon Asian Games as a national rugby player. However, on January 8 this year, he was involved in an accident where he collided with a vehicle making an illegal U-turn while heading home from work, leading to cardiac arrest. He never regained consciousness and was subsequently declared brain dead.

The Korean Organ Donation Organization announced on January 30 that Yoon donated his heart, both kidneys, and liver at Pusan National University Hospital on January 14 through brain death organ donation, saving four precious lives. He also donated human tissues. He was 43 years old. The organization stated that through the donation of human tissues, it is expected to help over 100 patients recover functional disabilities.

Following requests from rugby players to establish a reliable and official fundraising channel after news of Yoon's condition, the Eutman Rugby Team, in collaboration with OK Baejeong Scholarship Foundation—a government-designated donation organization and non-profit public interest corporation—launched the 'Yoon Tae-il Memorial Joint Fundraising Campaign.' From last month's 16th to this month's 1st, rugby players and fans nationwide contributed their support to honor the late athlete's noble spirit of sacrifice.

Separate from the fundraising campaign, the OK Eutman Rugby Team plans to support the late athlete's child, currently in the second year of middle school, with a living expense scholarship totaling 30 million won over five years, providing 500,000 won monthly through the OK Baejeong Scholarship Foundation until the child graduates from high school, ensuring uninterrupted academic progress.

Choi Yun, owner of the OK Eutman Rugby Team, said, "Thanks to the collective generosity of many rugby players and fans, this memorial fund was made possible. We consider it especially meaningful that a small circle started to honor the late athlete has grown into a larger solidarity within the rugby community." He added, "We will long remember the noble spirit of player Yoon Tae-il, who, even at the final moment of his life, gave himself to offer hope for life to his neighbors by 'passing' it on." He paid tribute to the late athlete.

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*This content was translated by AI.