Anonymous Donor Repays 1 Million Won for a Bag of Rice Received 40 Years Ago

"Received Rice Support from Former Dong Office... Now Finally Repaying"

A story has emerged of a citizen who did not forget the support received from the local government in the early 1980s and repaid it. The photo shows a letter sent by the citizen to Sangok 2-dong, Bupyeong-gu. Photo by Bupyeong-gu

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] A story has emerged about a citizen who did not forget the support received from a local government in the early 1980s and repaid it.

According to Bupyeong-gu, Incheon, on the 9th, a registered mail arrived addressed to the head of Sanggok 2-dong on the 8th.

The sender of the letter, an anonymous citizen who stated they live in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, said, "I lived in Sanggok 2-dong between 1980 and 1981, and as a repayment for receiving a sack of rice at that time, I made a designated donation (1 million won) to your district through the Incheon Community Chest of Korea."

He said, "At that time, a person who seemed to be a bankbook holder gave me something like a coupon and guided me that if I went to the community service center, I would receive a sack of rice. I was very grateful and ate it well," adding, "I would appreciate it if you could purchase rice and deliver it to those in need in your jurisdiction."

He also added, "I have always been grateful and intended to repay someday, but I kept postponing it, so I am only now putting it into practice."

Regarding this, Bupyeong-gu explained, "In the 1980s, the community service center supported grain to welfare recipients in difficult circumstances (currently basic livelihood security recipients)," and "The 'coupon' the donor received is presumed to have been a kind of certificate exchangeable for rice."

Jung Ki-woon, head of Sanggok 2-dong, said, "It has been decades, and it is not easy to give during the COVID-19 situation, so it is truly remarkable and appreciated," adding, "The donation sent by the donor will be used to purchase rice and delivered to neighbors in need in the community."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.