Writer Jeong Kyung-chul dies in South Korea
Jeong Kyung-chul, a 64-year-old writer known as the “father of Peter Pan,” has died in South Korea. For more than two decades, he cared for his son with autism on his own and publicly spoke about his search for a place where the son could live after his father’s death. The Korea Herald reports that the author had been battling late-stage liver cancer.
Jeong Yu-jin, head of the Forum of Experts on Support for People with Developmental Disabilities, wrote on social media that the funeral would be held without an official farewell ceremony, in accordance with Jeong’s wishes.
Searching for a place for his son
The writer’s son is 27 years old. After Jeong received a terminal diagnosis due to late-stage liver cancer in April last year, he began looking for a place for him to live. The author contacted nearly a thousand care facilities in different parts of the country, but few of them could accept his son.
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Jeong described his experience on the publishing platform Brunch. His story gained wide attention after features on MBC’s “True Story Expedition” and tvN’s “You Quiz on the Block.” In June, he published the essay collection “Annyeong, Peter Pan,” based on these texts.
Supporting other families
Readers raised about 80 million won, or approximately $59,000, in donations. Thanks to this support, Jeong’s son moved to a community for people with severe developmental disabilities.
The writer also worked on establishing a social support fund for adults with severe autism-related developmental disabilities. On August 26, shortly before his death, he announced the launch of a preparatory committee. According to the publication, its members are to continue work and discussions on establishing the fund.
