Lee Young-chul, the founder of Korea University's famous 'Young-chul Burger,' passed away on the 13th at the age of 58. It was reported that he had been battling lung cancer since last year. The funeral hall was set up at Korea University Hospital, and the funeral procession will take place at 6:30 a.m. on the 15th.

Lee Young-chul started 'Young-chul Burger' in front of Korea University in Anam-dong, Seoul, in 2000 as a handcart street vendor. At the time, the low-priced 1,000 won hamburger gained attention and became very popular among Korea University students. Later, he operated a store and franchise locations. However, Young-chul Burger, a symbol of the Korea University shopping district, closed around 2015 due to financial difficulties. After this became known, crowdfunding was launched, and the business was revived.

During the revival process of Young-chul Burger, the fundraising goal was 8 million won, but with the participation of current students and alumni of Korea University, it surpassed 20 million won in just one day. A total of 2,579 people participated over a month, raising 68,115,000 won. The background for Korea University students raising funds for Young-chul Burger was that Lee donated 20 million won annually as the 'Young-chul Scholarship.' It is also known that he provided free hamburgers during the school festival.

Lee Young-chul was unable to receive proper elementary education due to difficult family circumstances. From the age of 10, he worked various jobs such as in a Chinese restaurant, a military uniform factory, and manual labor to make a living. Around 2000, with only 22,000 won in hand and as a person with bad credit, he started selling 1,000 won burgers from a handcart in front of Korea University. The burger, made with stir-fried meat, cabbage, and sauce between American-style hot dog buns, satisfied students' hunger and became a local specialty.

By around 2005, the number of franchise stores had grown to 40, and it was called a 'success story.' Even when Lee switched the pork in the burgers to loin cuts, he did not raise the price. Despite cabbage and Cheongyang chili prices rising, causing a loss of 200 won per burger sold, he maintained the price.

Starting in 2004, to give back to students, he donated 20 million won annually to Korea University to provide the 'Young-chul Scholarship.' He also distributed thousands of Young-chul Burgers for free whenever the regular Korea University-Yonsei University sports competition was held.

In 2009, as various food shops with similar price ranges opened nearby, Young-chul Burger attempted to upgrade its menu but eventually faced financial difficulties. It closed in 2015. Afterward, Korea University students launched a campaign to save Young-chul Burger. A total of 2,579 Korea University students participated in the 'Young-chul Burger crowdfunding.' The initial goal was 8 million won, but 20 million won was raised in one day, and 68,115,000 won was collected over a month. This fund was given to Lee and used as seed money for the store deposit and the revival of Young-chul Burger.

Following the announcement of Lee Young-chul's passing, a wave of condolences from Korea University alumni has continued. Alumni, including KBS announcer Choi Seung-don, a graduate of Korea University's Department of English Education, mourned his death. Lee Young-chul will be remembered as a figure who had a great impact on Korea University students.