"A Veteran Who Served the Nation..." Elderly Man Caught Stealing Side Dishes Turns Out to Be a '6·25 War Veteran'

Living on Government Payment of 600,000 Won for a Month
Police Consider Meritorious Persons...Summary Trial Request

News has emerged that an elderly man in his 80s, a veteran of the Korean War, was caught by the police for stealing side dishes from a mart due to a lack of living expenses, evoking sympathy.

According to the Busanjin Police Station on the 23rd, the police booked Mr. A, a man in his late 80s, on charges of theft for stealing items from a mart on the 7th.

On the 5th, a day before Memorial Day, the Seoul Metropolitan Government's Kkumsaegimpan made of about 150 photos of Korean War veterans was unveiled on the front of Seoul Library in Jung-gu, Seoul. This Kkumsaegimpan features the phrase "You are a hero even after 70 years" along with photos of Korean War veterans arranged to symbolize the number 70 (marking the 70th anniversary of the armistice). Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

Mr. A is accused of stealing food items worth about 80,000 won, including salted seafood, sesame oil, and canned tuna, seven times over about a month from April to early May at a small mart near his residence in Geumjeong-gu.

After receiving reports that items were gradually disappearing, the police investigated, confirmed the crime through CCTV footage, identified the address, and apprehended Mr. A.

Mr. A stated, "I stole the items because I lacked money to use immediately," and apologized, saying, "I'm sorry."

Upon verifying Mr. A's identity, the police confirmed that he is a Korean War veteran.

It is reported that Mr. A enlisted in the last year of the war in 1953 and, after discharge, made a living for over 30 years working as a seaman and in other jobs.

His children have become independent, and after losing his spouse, he has lived alone in his old age, surviving on about 600,000 won per month provided by the government.

A representative from the Busanjin Police Station said, "As he has aged and his teeth have weakened, he needed sesame oil and salted seafood to eat rice, which led to the theft. There was no prior record of similar crimes," adding, "He is someone who devoted himself to the country, so the situation is regrettable."

The police plan to request a summary judgment for Mr. A, considering the minor nature of the case and the fact that he is a national merit recipient.

A summary judgment is a simplified trial for minor criminal cases (fines or detention under 200,000 won) that does not go through formal criminal procedures and does not leave a criminal record.

Following this incident, the Busanjin Police Station, with cooperation from the Busan Regional Veterans Office, visited 15 households of elderly national merit recipients living alone in Busanjin-gu from the 7th to the 20th to conduct voice phishing prevention campaigns and listen to their difficulties.

On the 5th, a day before Memorial Day, the Seoul Dream Billboard made up of about 150 photos of Korean War veterans was unveiled on the front of the Seoul Library in Jung-gu, Seoul. This Dream Billboard features the phrase "You are a hero even after 70 years" along with photos of Korean War veterans forming the number 70, symbolizing the 70th anniversary of the armistice. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

According to the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs in March, there are 228,932 veterans. The average age of Korean War and Vietnam War veterans in 2023 is 92 and 72 years, respectively.

Veterans receive a monthly honorarium of 390,000 won, and disabled veterans receive compensation according to their disability grade plus a monthly war injury allowance of 90,000 won. Survivor compensation for families of deceased national merit recipients ranges from 588,000 won to 2,102,000 won per month.