A final video letter personally filmed by writer Jeon Gyeong-cheol (63), who raised his son with severe autism alone for more than 20 years and died after being diagnosed with terminal liver cancer, has been released. Until the end, Jeon asked people to join forces to build a place where people with severe disabilities can live with dignity, beyond just helping his son.
Publisher Iyagijangsu on the 7th released a video left by the deceased during his lifetime through its official social media (SNS) account, saying it was "the road to seeing off writer Jeon Gyeong-cheol."
Iyagijangsu said, "We never imagined we would release the writer's video message after his passing, but today we share a video letter that the writer propped himself up and filmed at home, with many people mourning his final moments."
In the video, Jeon introduced himself as "Jeon Gyeong-cheol, whose name tag has somehow become 'Peter Pan dad.'"
He went on to say it was "the final journey of my life," adding, "Countless people are walking together to establish the Neverland Village where people with severe disabilities can live with dignity and to found the Peter Pan Foundation to make it possible. Please join forces on this path."
Jeon has a 26-year-old son, Je-won, who has been diagnosed with severe autism spectrum disorder. "Peter Pan" is the nickname Jeon gave him, saying his son, whose mental age remains at about 2, resembles Peter Pan from the fairy tale who never grows up.
Jeon raised his son alone for more than 20 years before suddenly receiving a diagnosis of terminal liver cancer and being told his time was limited. But he worried first about his son's future after his own death rather than his own treatment.
He searched facilities across the country to find a place that could care for Je-won. It was not easy to find a place that would accept an adult son with severe autism, but he did not give up. For more than a year, he knocked on the doors of about 1,000 facilities nationwide, a process he captured in his essay "Hello, Peter Pan."
Jeon's story was featured on MBC's "True Story" and tvN's "You Quiz on the Block," drawing a big response. Afterward, Je-won found a home in a community village for people with the most severe developmental disabilities.
On the broadcast, Jeon left a final wish for his son: "I want to tell you to forget that there was someone called dad and live happily, but to be honest, I don't want to be completely forgotten," adding, "I hope to be remembered as a faint longing like, 'There was an old man who looked at me warmly.'"
Jeon also pushed to establish the "Peter Pan Welfare Foundation for People with Autism" to help not only his son but also adult people with severe autism like Je-won. On the 25th, the foundation's preparatory committee was launched.
The publisher said, "Please remember writer Jeon Gyeong-cheol, who gave his all until the very end of his life to found the Peter Pan Foundation and build the Neverland Village."
Minister Jung Eun-kyeong of the Ministry of Health and Welfare also paid tribute to Jeon on the 6th via SNS.
The Minister said, "So that only families do not bear the weight of care, the government will announce this week a pan-government plan to support people with developmental disabilities so they can enjoy ordinary lives and daily routines."
She added, "We will carry forward the deep resonance that 'Peter Pan dad' gave to our society into policies for people with developmental disabilities and their families."