"Security Guard Father Receives Moldy Gift Set from Resident... Expiration Date Passed by 4 Years"

"Thinking of Dad Who Would Have Said Thank You Makes Me So Angry"

Gift set with expired expiration date received by the security guard. / Photo by Online Community 'Nate Pann' capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] A story has been shared about a father who works as a security guard after retirement receiving a gift set from a resident that was past its expiration date and covered in mold, sparking outrage among netizens.

On the 24th, a post titled "People who give expired garbage gift sets to security guards" was uploaded on an online community.

The author, A, who introduced themselves as the child of the security guard, stated, "My father ran a business trading with foreign countries for a long time and has been working as a security guard for several years after retirement," adding, "He has received expired cocoa powder, expired cosmetics, and other expired items a few times before, but this time it was so shocking that I decided to write this post."

Gift sets with expiration dates until 2017 and 2018.
/Photo by Online Community 'Nate Pann' Capture

A shared photos of the gifts their father received from residents, saying, "At first glance, the outer surface of the box was heavily scratched and mold was visible, so I opened it and found the sticker already opened and cut, and the inside of the box was covered in mold," adding, "When I checked the expiration date, it was 2018."

They also attached photos of another gift set, saying, "The other set contained cooking oil and ham, but the surface was severely contaminated and it smelled strongly of mold," and "When I opened the lid, it was heartbreaking. I couldn't believe it, but when I checked, the expiration date was as far back as 2017."

A said, "I didn't ask my father, but I think it was the same person who gave these," and "It seems unlikely that two different people gave such garbage on the same day."

They continued, "Nowadays, many people who have had some education work as security guards as a side job. They don't know when they receive such garbage and don't use or eat it. Even if they feel bad, they don't say anything and just throw it away," adding, "Even if they are doing it out of desperate need, you shouldn't give such garbage. Most security guards are elderly, so what if they get sick from eating spoiled food? Why would anyone give such garbage as a gift?"

They added, "My father asked me to take the gift home because it was heavy, so I accepted it, but I feel so absurd, angry, and bitter," and "Thinking about my father smiling and thanking them without knowing the contents makes me so angry, and I want to ask who gave it and throw it all in front of them."

Netizens expressed their anger with comments such as "Post this on the apartment residents' cafe," "They should put up a public notice," "Isn't this also a form of resident power harassment?" and "There are still people with no common sense."

Meanwhile, starting from the 21st of next month, under the revised Apartment Housing Management Act, residents' 'power harassment' toward apartment security guards will be prohibited. According to the revised law, residents who make security guards perform tasks outside of their security duties may be fined up to 10 million KRW.