Donations with the Same Handwriting Since 2017
Cumulative Donations of About 499 Million Won Including Relief Funds for Disaster Victims
On the morning of the 7th, a man left a handwritten letter and 10 million won in cash in a donation box in front of the office of the Gyeongnam Community Chest of Korea, asking for it to be delivered to the bereaved families of the Itaewon disaster. Photo by Gyeongnam Community Chest of Korea
[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] A man donated 10 million won to be used for the victims and bereaved families of the Itaewon disaster. According to the Gyeongnam Community Chest of Korea in Changwon City, Gyeongnam Province, just after 9 a.m. on the 7th, a call with a restricted caller ID came to the fundraising team leader's phone.
The man who called said, "After hearing the news of the Itaewon disaster, I felt heartbroken and wanted to help even a little. I want to donate through the Fruit of Love, which I have been continuously supporting. I will leave the donation in the donation box at the office entrance."
Upon checking later, the donation box contained a letter along with 10 million won in 50,000 won bills. It is known that this man has donated nearly 500 million won since 2017 to help neighbors. Over the past five years, he has donated a total of 499 million won for causes such as overcoming COVID-19, supporting victims of the Jinju apartment arson, aiding victims of large wildfires and the Ukraine war, and helping flood victims.
A handwritten letter left by an anonymous donor in the donation box placed in front of the office of the Gyeongnam Community Chest of Korea on the 7th. Photo by Gyeongnam Community Chest of Korea
The donor expressed condolences to the victims and bereaved families of the Itaewon disaster through a handwritten letter. The letter read, "I mourn the victims of the Itaewon disaster and offer my deepest condolences. No words can comfort the grieving families, so I will simply grieve and cry with them. Though small, I hope this reaches the bereaved families in the Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam regions. One day in November 2022."
The Gyeongnam Community Chest said that the first employee to arrive at work each day places the donation box outside the office, and collects it again at the end of the day. Based on this, the fundraising organization estimated that the donor put the money in the donation box between 8:30 and 9 a.m. and then left.
Also, considering the restricted caller ID phone call notifying them after placing the money, the handwriting on the letter, and other factors, the organization judged that this donor is the same person who has anonymously donated large sums several times before. According to the donor’s wishes, the Community Chest plans to deliver the donation to government departments supporting the victims and bereaved families of the Itaewon disaster. A representative of the Community Chest said, "We are grateful to the donor who sent this warm-hearted donation," and added, "We will ensure that the donation is properly delivered in consultation with the relevant government departments supporting the victims and bereaved families of the Itaewon disaster, according to the donor’s wishes."
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