Former President Moon Jae-in Donates 5 Million Won to Hometown Geoje

Former President Moon Jae-in donated 5 million won in hometown love donations to his hometown, Geoje City, Gyeongnam Province, again this year following last year.

Geoje City announced that former President Moon donated 5 million won through the online platform 'Hometown Love e-Eum' on the 25th. Last year, when the hometown love donation system was implemented, former President Moon also contributed the annual maximum amount of 5 million won to Geoje City.

[Photo by Yonhap News]

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The Hometown Love Donation System is a program that allows donations to one’s hometown or a desired local government to promote the welfare of local residents and revitalize the local economy. Donations can be made to local governments other than the one registered as the donor’s resident address. Donors receive tax credits and gifts such as local specialties and regional gift certificates in return. The donation limit is 5 million won per person annually. The 'Hometown Love Donation Act' was proposed in 2017 during the Moon Jae-in administration and was enacted in October 2021.

Former President Moon was born in 1953 in Myeongjin-ri, Geoje-myeon, Geoje City, near the end of the Korean War, and lived there until he was six years old before moving to Busan. His childhood home remains in Namjeong Village, Myeongjin-ri, where he spent his early years.

In his autobiography, former President Moon reflected on Geoje City, saying, "I don’t have many memories because I left when I was young. Still, it is my hometown and the place where my parents lived as refugees, so it always holds a special place in my heart. When I was at the Blue House, I always paid attention whenever requests came in to help with local issues in Geoje."

Geoje City has established a 'Hometown Love Donation Hall of Fame' in its government building to honor high-value donors, including former President Moon.

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