Memorial Video Released for Late Former Suwon Mayor Shim Jae-deok, "Mr. Toilet"
[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Seo Dong-young] A memorial video honoring and remembering the late Shim Jae-deok, former Suwon Mayor known as "Mr. Toilet," has been released online.
The Mr. Toilet Shim Jae-deok Memorial Foundation released the memorial video on the 13th to commemorate the 12th anniversary of former Mayor Shim Jae-deok's passing (January 14th).
The memorial video posted on the Haewoojae website contains five minutes and 49 seconds of footage reviewing the late mayor's footsteps and accomplishments.
In particular, the video's introduction includes footage of former Mayor Shim Jae-deok during his lifetime offering New Year's greetings, saying, "I hope this is a year of constant smiles. Even if it's difficult, even if it's frustrating, I believe that when all of you smile, facial expressions and homes brighten society."
The video also showcases photographs of the former mayor's footsteps, the achievements of the toilet culture movement that has spread across the world, and photos from previous memorial services.
The Mr. Toilet Shim Jae-deok Memorial Foundation had held memorial services annually on the anniversary of the former mayor's death, but this year planned an online memorial service in a non-contact format to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The memorial video can be viewed on the Haewoojae website (https://www.haewoojae.com:40002/Default.asp).
Former Mayor Shim, who propagated the toilet culture movement worldwide and made Suwon the center of the toilet culture movement, continued to dedicate himself to the movement even after retiring as Suwon mayor.
In particular, to commemorate the founding of the World Toilet Association (WTA), he demolished the house where he had lived for some 30 years and built "Haewoojae," a structure modeled after a toilet bowl. His bereaved family donated Haewoojae to Suwon in 2009.
The city currently operates Haewoojae as a "Toilet Culture Exhibition Hall," providing free access to citizens.