On September 12, Park Hyung-man (87), chairman of the Manhee Koju Foundation, was awarded an honorary Doctor of Business Administration from Gongju National University. The ceremony was attended by various dignitaries from the city of Gongju and South Chungcheong Province, who applauded Parkโs recognition.
Park, a prominent philanthropist known for his annual contributions to support the underprivileged in his hometown, is often referred to as one of Gongjuโs โThree Parks,โ alongside baseball legend Chan-ho Park and golf icon Seri Pak. His long-standing efforts to assist the less fortunate have earned him widespread gratitude from the community.
On September 13, Park visited Gongju City Hall to distribute 1 million won ($747) each to 40 socially disadvantaged individuals, including orphaned children, people with disabilities, and elderly individuals living alone. This marks the 28th consecutive year of Parkโs heartfelt commitment to supporting his hometown.
Parkโs deep-rooted dedication to helping others stems from his own experience of poverty. โI was born as the youngest of 10 siblings, and back then, everyone was poor,โ he said. โThe hunger I felt in Gongju as a 12 or 13-year-old is something Iโll never forget. As someone who grew up here, Iโve always wanted to help those in need.โ
At 27, Park was forced to drop out of Konkuk Universityโs political science and diplomacy program due to financial hardship. Returning to his hometown, he taught soccer at a local agricultural high school before volunteering to work in Germany as a coal miner. From 1964, he spent three years 1,000 meters underground in the Essen region, mining coal. But during his time there, he also learned valuable lessons in diligence and frugality from the Germans, which he credits with โreinventing his life.โ
โGerman people are simple, hardworking, and honest,โ Park said. โI learned how to live life from them. Thatโs why, after mining coal for eight hours, I would also take on extra work at nearby farms.โ
In Germany, Park married Lee Sook-hee (86), who was working there as a nurse. The couple moved to Los Angeles in 1967, where they began their journey to financial independence. Park worked various jobs, including dishwashing, shoe repair, and gardening, while his wife diligently saved her earnings from nursing. Their first real estate investment in 1972โa 12-unit apartment in LAโs Koreatownโwas the foundation of their success, eventually leading to substantial wealth.
Despite their financial success, Park and his wife are known for their modest lifestyle, with some even jokingly calling them โstingy.โ Park acknowledges this with a smile. โPeople say I spend money like a Jew, but I believe in knowing where to spend and where not to. This keeps me humble.โ
Park avoids spending on material luxuries, instead choosing to donate to those in need. His philanthropy has expanded beyond Gongju, with 30 homeless individuals in LA receiving $1,000 annually for the past decade.
He has also been a donor to the Childrenโs Hospital Los Angeles for the past five years and, in June, contributed $50,000 to support 40 vulnerable individuals at the LA Koreatown Senior & Community Center. According to the Manhee Koju Foundation, Park and his wife have donated a total of $1.3 million to support communities in Gongju and LA.
โWhen I first started donating to my hometown 28 years ago, I had moments of doubt,โ Park admitted. โI flew economy to meet the people back home, and one elderly woman tearfully told me she no longer had to worry about surviving the winter. Thatโs when I knew I was doing the right thing.โ
Park emphasizes that his actions are guided by an inner calling. โHelping others is where I feel the presence of God. Itโs like a tonic for my soul. Having been born into poverty as the youngest of ten siblings, Iโve worked hard to overcome itโand now I want to extend my hand to those around me.โ
BY HYOUNGJAE KIM, YOUNGNAM KIM [kim.ian@koreadaily.com]
