"Turning Gas Canisters into Piggy Banks"...Basic Livelihood Security Recipient Donates Coins Saved for 27 Years

60s Resident of Taebaek-si, Gangwon
"Please Help Neighbors in Greater Need Than Me"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyun-jung] A senior citizen in their late 60s, a recipient of basic living security benefits, has become a topic of interest after donating coins they had saved for 27 years, saying, "Please help those who are more in need than I am."

According to Yonhap News on the 12th, on the 10th, a senior citizen in their late 60s, Mr. A, appeared at the Sangjang-dong Administrative Welfare Center in Taebaek City, Gangwon Province, carrying a 20kg LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) cylinder.

A gas cylinder piggy bank made by an elderly recipient of basic living security benefits living in Sangjang-dong, Taebaek-si, Gangwon.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Mr. A said that this gas cylinder was a "homemade piggy bank" and requested, "Although it is a small amount, please use it to help neighbors in need." As the senior explained, there was a horizontal slit at the top of the gas cylinder, allowing coins to be inserted like a piggy bank.

Upon hearing this news, Kang Young-chan, a member of the local community security council, rushed over in work clothes and cut open the gas cylinder. Inside, it was filled with coins. Most of the coins were 10-won pieces, with some 50-won coins mixed in. Counting the coins revealed a total of 188,310 won.

Mr. A, who donated the coins, said, "I am a recipient of basic living security benefits, but these coins were saved over 27 years to help neighbors who are more in need than myself," and reportedly left the Sangjang-dong Administrative Welfare Center requesting that his name not be disclosed.

Kim Tae-do, head of Sangjang-dong, told Yonhap News, "We will honor the precious intention of the senior who wishes to share warmth during the cold wave and ensure that the donated funds are used well to support vulnerable groups."

Meanwhile, last month, Mr. B, a recipient of basic living security benefits residing in Byeongnyeong 1-dong, Jung-gu, Ulsan City, donated 3 million won, which he had saved by economizing on his benefits, asking for it to be used to help neighbors in greater need. Notably, Mr. B has been donating 3 million won annually since 2019.

Mr. B, who wished to remain anonymous, said when delivering the donation, "I only use as much money as I need each month from what the government provides, and return the rest," adding, "I hope this helps neighbors going through difficult times."