Seongbuk-gu Jeongneung 4-dong COVID-19 Neighbor Support Donation Expansion

An envelope containing a COVID-19 relief donation delivered by an anonymous philanthropist from Jeongneung 4-dong

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] There is a saying that a true friend is one who helps you in difficult times. In Jeongneung 4-dong, Seongbuk-gu, there are neighbors who, during these challenging times, think of those more in need than themselves and come carrying small envelopes.

The first step began with Jeongneung Deulpul Church (Pastor Kim Misook). They generously donated 1 million won to help neighbors struggling due to COVID-19. Having recently settled in Jeongneung 4-dong, they also expressed their intention to focus on external neighborly aid going forward.

Accordingly, they also expressed a desire to establish regular sponsorships with two individuals, donating 100,000 won each month.

The second helping hand came from Baek Nam-hee, director of Wonjeong Daycare Center and a member of the Jeongneung 4-dong Residents’ Autonomy Committee. Although she wanted to personally procure and distribute masks to children from low-income families, she was unable to obtain masks and instead donated 500,000 won.

The baton was then passed to an anonymous philanthropist. They handed over a white envelope with a note saying, “Please use this to help neighbors struggling due to COVID-19.” The envelope contained 500,000 won.

Kim Ho-hyung, head of Jeongneung 4-dong, said, “We will carefully consider the donors’ intentions and actively identify neighbors in difficulty due to COVID-19 and allocate the funds accordingly.”

Jeongneung 4-dong has taken the lead in actively responding to the COVID-19 crisis, including forming Seongbuk-gu’s first “Novel Coronavirus Emergency Joint Disinfection Team.” In this context, the active spread of neighborly donations is being recognized as a model of “resident autonomy by the residents, for the residents, and of the residents.”