BUSAN — In an effort to foster international solidarity and strengthen humanitarian efforts, the city of Busan hosted the 2026 Korea-Japan Organ Donation International Symposium and a companion tribute event, "Healing Night," on November 11. Organized by the Korea Organ Donation Association, the dual events focused heavily on enhancing dignity and support systems for brain-dead donors and their grieving families.

Bridging Policies Across Borders The afternoon symposium, convened at the Busan City Hall International Conference Hall, drew roughly 100 stakeholders, including municipal officials, public health experts, and advocacy leaders from both nations.

Under the core theme of "Organ Donation Frameworks and Local Government Policies in South Korea and Japan," key keynote presentations highlighted actionable pathways for municipal authorities to elevate donor recognition. A prominent panel discussion followed, moderated by Dr. Kim Soon-eun, President of the Korean Society for Organ Donation. Notably, the panel featured heartfelt testimonials from bereaved family members from both South Korea and Japan—including Atsuko Asai and Choi Kyung-soon—who shared first-hand experiences of the donation journey, giving a deeply human voice to the policy discourse.

A Night of Remembrance and Comfort Later that evening, the focus shifted from policy to emotional solidarity at Lotte Hotel Busan. Approximately 150 participants—consisting of living donors, relatives of brain-dead donors, civil society partners, and youth student ambassadors—gathered for the "Healing Night" gala.

The program was designed to offer collective comfort and profound appreciation, featuring merit awards for advocates of life-sharing, commemorative video screenings, collective donation pledges, and poetry readings accompanied by musical performances.

Commitment to a Culture of Sharing Municipal leaders emphasized that these initiatives reflect Busan’s ongoing dedication to expanding public awareness and building a compassionate infrastructure.

"Organ donation represents the highest form of altruism, transforming a single tragedy into a renewed lease on life for others," noted Choi Gyu-yul, Director General of the Busan Citizens' Health Bureau. "By exchanging policy insights with Japan and reinforcing our respect for donor families, Busan remains firmly committed to cultivating a thriving culture of life-sharing within our community."

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