Counting every 10-won coin... 'Basic Livelihood Security Recipients' Gather Even Pocket Money to Help Flood Victims

Elderly Person in Their 70s Collects Pocket Money to Donate Funds

"I usually just received benefits as a Basic Livelihood Security recipient. I want to help those in need."

A man in his 70s, who identified himself as a Basic Livelihood Security recipient, was recently revealed to have gathered even his pocket money to donate flood relief funds to Chungju City, Chungcheongbuk-do.

According to Chungju City and Yonhap News on the 11th, around 11 a.m. on the 4th, a man in his 70s, Mr. A, visited Chungju City Hall and handed over a black plastic bag containing bundles of cash. Inside the bag were bills of 50,000 won, 10,000 won, 1,000 won, and coins of 100 won and 10 won, totaling 525,320 won.

Donation from an elderly person to flood relief funds in Chungju City
Photo by Yonhap News

Mr. A reportedly said, "This is money I saved and coins I occasionally collected at home," adding, "I live on government support as a Basic Livelihood Security recipient, but since many people suffered flood damage, I withdrew all the money in my bank account."

He said, "I was heartbroken watching neighbors lose their homes due to heavy rain on TV, so I brought this," and requested, "Please use it to help those in need."

Chungju City announced that, respecting Mr. A’s wish to remain anonymous, they delivered the donation to the Hope Bridge National Disaster Relief Association.

Also, a city official said, "It was clear at a glance that the elderly man was not well-off," and considering Mr. A’s situation, they asked the local community center to "look after the elderly man."

Meanwhile, since the heavy rains last month, donations have been pouring in nationwide through local governments to help flood victims, drawing attention as elderly Basic Livelihood Security recipients continue to donate.

In Buk-gu, Busan, last month, a Basic Livelihood Security recipient in his 70s donated 30,000 won in cash in an envelope labeled "flood relief money" through the administrative welfare center. In Gangseo-gu, Seoul, Mr. Kim (85), a Basic Livelihood Security recipient, donated millions of won he saved over years by economizing on living expenses and collecting empty bottles. Also, Mrs. Choi Jeong-sun (75), a Basic Livelihood Security recipient, donated 7 million won she had saved over years to the Banghwa 3-dong community center in Gangseo-gu, requesting it be used to help neighbors in her hometown in Gyeongbuk and other areas affected by heavy rain.