"No One Would Take My Son In": The Final Wish of Jeon Gyeong-cheol, the 'Peter Pan Dad'

[Financial News] The final video letter from author Jeon Gyeong-cheol, who cared for his son with severe autism spectrum disorder alone for more than 20 years while battling liver cancer, has been released. Before his death, Jeon had been working to establish a community and foundation for people with severe disabilities like his son.
Iyagi Jangsu Publishing released Jeon’s video letter on social media on the 7th. The publisher said, "We are on our way to see Jeon off. We never imagined that we would release the author’s video message after his death, but today, as many people mourn his passing, we are sharing the video letter he filmed himself at home after raising himself up."
In the video, Jeon introduced himself by saying, "I am Jeon Gyeong-cheol, whose name tag has somehow become 'Peter Pan Dad.'" He continued, "This is the final journey of my life. Many people are walking alongside me to build Neverland Village, where people with severe disabilities can live with dignity, and to establish the Peter Pan Foundation for that purpose. Please lend your support to this journey."
The publisher said Jeon devoted himself to establishing the Peter Pan Foundation and building Neverland Village until the end of his life. It added, "Please remember Jeon, who gave everything he had until the end of his life to establish the Peter Pan Foundation and build Neverland Village," and stated, "Even after today, we will continue asking for support, assistance and interest in the Peter Pan Foundation and the records Jeon left behind."
Jeon died at around 7:56 p.m. on the 5th. He was 63.
In accordance with his wishes, the funeral was held without a viewing room. After divorcing his wife, Jeon had raised his son, Je-won, 26, alone following the son’s diagnosis with severe autism spectrum disorder. Jeon regarded his son, whose mental development had stopped at the level of a 2-year-old, as Peter Pan of Neverland, who would never grow up.
Jeon’s story became known through MBC’s "True Story Expedition." He was diagnosed with terminal liver cancer in April last year. Although he was reportedly given six months to live, he could not find anyone to care for his son after he was gone.
Jeon personally visited more than 1,000 care facilities across the country in search of a place for Je-won to stay. However, no facility would take him in, and the search became known through online platforms and television broadcasts. Jeon later published a book titled "Goodbye, Peter Pan."
Readers and viewers who learned of the story continued to offer encouragement and financial support. As a result, Je-won was able to live in a community village for people with the most severe developmental disabilities.
Jeon also worked to establish the Peter Pan Welfare Foundation for Autistic People to support adults with severe autism.
Aladdin, an online bookstore, is currently holding a comment-based support campaign to help establish the Peter Pan Foundation.
Meanwhile, Minister of Health and Welfare (MOHW) Jeong Eun-kyeong said on social media the previous day that she had learned of Jeon’s death and stated, "May he rest in peace."
Jeong said the care of people with developmental disabilities should not be left solely to their families. She said, "I remember the father’s words that the reality of the years spent providing care was not something one could easily become accustomed to. To ensure that families do not bear the burden of care alone, the government plans to announce this week a comprehensive government-wide policy to support people with developmental disabilities so that they can enjoy ordinary lives and everyday routines that should be taken for granted."
Jeong added, "We will carry forward the profound impact that the Peter Pan Dad left on our society through policies for people with developmental disabilities and their families."
[email protected] Han Seung-gon Reporter