제26회 가천효행대상 수상자 명단. 가천문화재단 제공

Incheon, South Korea – Jang Heesu, an 18-year-old student at Busan Electronic High School, has been awarded the prestigious Gacheon孝 Award for his selfless act of donating 70% of his liver to save his ailing father.

The Gacheon Cultural Foundation announced on Wednesday that 17 individuals have been selected as recipients of the 26th Gacheon孝 Award.

Jang, who won the grand prize in the male category, not only underwent a liver transplant for his father in 2023 but also took care of his younger siblings and helped with household chores. Despite having to abandon his dream of becoming a soldier due to the surgery, he remains dedicated to his studies, focusing on a welding career.

Choi Song-hee, a 16-year-old student at Incheon Shinmyung Girls' High School, won the grand prize in the female category for her devoted care of her sick grandmother.

Other notable recipients include Kim Min-seo, a 45-year-old Vietnamese woman who has cared for her mother-in-law for 14 years and her daughter with intellectual disabilities; the Jindo Happiness Sharing Volunteer Association, a group of retired public servants from Jindo County who assist immigrant women with naturalization and name change processes; and the Namdong-gu District Children's Center in Incheon, which was recognized for its "孝 mission" program designed to foster family values.

The Gacheon孝 Award, established in 1999 by Gachon University Chancellor Gil-yeo Lee, honors individuals who exemplify filial piety. Since its inception, the award has recognized 330 outstanding individuals.

Grand prize winners will receive a trophy and a scholarship of 10 million won, while finalists will receive 5 million won and special award winners will receive 3 million won.

The award ceremony will be held at Gachon University Medical School on December 12 at 3 PM.