A ‘success story’ with a 1,000 won burger from a cart in front of Korea University in 2000.
Every year, Korea University receives scholarships… When the business closed, Korea University students came to save it and reopened it.
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(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Lee Dong-hwan = Lee Young-cheol, who started with nothing and turned the 1,000 won ‘Young-cheol Burger’ into a Korea University specialty, has passed away. Age 58.
According to the university on the 13th, Mr. Lee passed away on this day. It was reported that he was suffering from cancer.
The deceased, who did not even graduate from elementary school, worked in a Chinese restaurant, a military uniform factory, and a manual labor market from the age of 10 due to difficult family circumstances.
Around 2000, in a desperate situation with only 22,000 won remaining and being labeled as a credit delinquent, the deceased began making and selling 1,000 won burgers from a cart in front of Korea University.
The ‘Street Burger’, a rustic style of stuffing stir-fried meat, cabbage, and sauce between American-style hot dog buns, has emerged as a ‘specialty’ as it satisfies students’ hunger at a low price.
By 2005, it had 40 franchises and was called a ‘success story.’
Even when the deceased changed the pork used in the burger to sirloin, he did not raise the price. Even when the price of cabbage and Cheongyang peppers soared, resulting in a loss of 200 won per burger sold, the company kept its promise of ‘1,000 won.’
Since 2004, to repay students, he has donated 20 million won every year to Korea University and provided the ‘Youngcheol Scholarship‘ to students in need. Thousands of Yeongcheol Burgers were distributed free of charge at every regular Ko-Yon Tournament.
The deceased was ‘Uncle Youngcheol’, whom KU students were always thankful for.
In 2015, Yeongcheol Burger also closed due to financial difficulties. As various food stores in similar price ranges opened nearby, Yeongcheol Burger attempted to upgrade its menu and eventually faced financial difficulties.
Then, the students at Korea University set out to save Yeongcheol Burger.
At that time, a total of 2,579 Korea University students participated in the ‘Youngcheol Burger Crowdfunding’ and raised 68,115,000 won. In this way, Yeongcheol Burger reopened and established itself as an ‘ancient specialty’ again.
The funeral was set up in room 102 of the funeral hall at Korea University Anam Hospital. The funeral will be held at 6:30 am on the 15th, and the burial will be at the Seoul Metropolitan Government Seunghwawon.
dhlee@yna.co.kr
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Sent on December 13, 2025 at 18:21