"The person over there paid and left" - Soldier eating Kalguksu alone, hurriedly followed but...

Citizen Pays for Soldier Eating Kalguksu Alone
"I Will Remember Today and Do My Best Until the Day I Discharge"

A story about a man in his 20s who paid for a soldier’s meal while he was eating kalguksu alone during his leave and then left silently has touched many hearts.

Kalguksu ordered by a soldier on leave.
Photo by Facebook page 'Yukgun Training Center Delivery Service'>

On the 11th, a story posted on social media by soldier A, who is serving in the 5th Army Corps stationed at the Cheorwon GOP, became a hot topic. A said, "I wanted to share this thankful and touching act of kindness and find that person to thank him in person," and began his post.

A explained, "On the morning of the 9th, I visited a kalguksu restaurant near Eonju Station in Gangnam-gu, Seoul to have breakfast," and continued, "While I was quietly sitting alone at a single seat and eating after ordering, suddenly the lady running the restaurant hurried over and said, ‘That gentleman over there paid for your meal.’"

In a rush to express his gratitude, A followed the man who had paid for the kalguksu and made eye contact with him. The man simply gave a smiling glance and silently walked away. A shared his regret, saying, "At that moment, I could only convey my feelings with a silent bow because I wanted to thank him quickly."

He added, "Recently, both domestic and international conflicts have been increasing, and tensions have heightened further due to the recent Yeonpyeong Island incident. I, who am currently serving in a frontline guard unit, feel this tension throughout my body. Every moment is filled with vigilance, but today’s event gives me strength to continue fulfilling my national defense duties despite the difficult environment."

He concluded, "If this message reaches him, I would like to thank him in person. Until the day I am discharged, I will remember today and continue to do my best for the safety of the people and the peace of the nation."

Netizens who read the story responded with comments such as, "What a heartwarming story," "It must have reminded him of his junior," "I hope this story becomes famous and they meet," and "It’s not easy for someone in their 20s to pay for someone else’s meal so readily; he’s truly a wonderful person."

"Thank you for protecting our country"... Continued acts of kindness toward soldiers

A soldier from the Army visited a Paik's Coffee store in Seoul and received this drink.
[Photo by Facebook page 'Delivered on behalf of Army Training Center']

Meanwhile, warm gestures toward soldiers protecting the country are not new. In early November last year, a train attendant on the Sea Train at Donghae Station gave a gift in a paper bag to soldiers, saying "Thank you for your hard work," which became a big topic on social media. The note read, "Hello dear customer, I have prepared a small gift for you who always work hard and sacrifice for the country," and "Please take care of your health as the weather gets colder, and thank you sincerely for protecting our country. I hope you throw away all your stress and worries into the blue East Sea and have a healing time."

A part-time worker named A at Paik’s Coffee, who moved soldiers by writing supportive messages for Army sergeants on drink lids, even received a job recommendation letter from Park Min-sik, Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs. The story became popular after soldier B posted on social media a photo of a drink lid he bought at the Paik’s Coffee store in Seoul where A worked, with the message "Thank you for protecting our country" written by A.

B said, "As a soldier of the Republic of Korea Army, receiving words of thanks from someone made me realize that the world is still wide and warm, and I found comfort in that one sentence. Recently, there have been many heartbreaking incidents involving soldiers, but I am reporting this to wish that all soldiers safely complete their service, as there are still many warm-hearted people in the world."

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