A construction company on Tuesday promised an apartment to gymnast Yang Hak-seon, who endured grueling poverty and won Korea's first gymnastics gold medal at the London Summer Olympics on Tuesday.

Yang told reporters in London that he would like to buy a house for his parents using the money he would receive as rewards from the government and sport organizations.

Gymnast Yang Hak-seon's parents smile in front of their makeshift house after hearing the news that their son won a gold medal at the London Summer Olympics on Tuesday.

"After hearing that Yang's family have a difficult life in a makeshift house, the company decided to give him an apartment as a present," an SM Group spokesman said.

The apartment complex in Gwangju is being built and is expected to open by the end of next year. The apartment is valued at around W200 million (US$1=W1,129). SM Group plans to hold an event to congratulate Yang at Gwangju City Hall once he returns from London.