By Ko Dong-hwan Ahn Jeong-yong / Courtesy of Ministry of Health and Welfare A father of eight from Jeongeup has been awarded a government honor on World Population Day, recognizing his unique approach to raising children and his extensive contributions to students in his community, according to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Sunday. Ahn Jeong-yong, 57, was awarded the Civil Merit Medal at an annual ceremony hosted by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety at the Westin Josun Seoul hotel on Thursday. He was recognized for his dedication to raising his children, his financial support for a school in North Jeolla Province, and his contributions to city policies aimed at improving community environments for children.
“Would I have been richer and freer if I stayed single? Is helping my community putting me at a disadvantage? To tell you the truth, living with my children and coexisting with my community have always been what got me going forward,” Ahn said. Ahn said that he loves children and admitted that raising them has never been easy, but he finds great joy in being with them. He has been residing in an apartment, but is now planning to move into a new house that is currently being built for his family.
Ahn’s affection for children extends well beyond his own family. Since 2010, he has been a generous donor to Daeheung Elementary School in Jeongeup, where he himself graduated. He began his philanthropic efforts by contributing funds to support the school’s over.
