'Naebu Oebin' Basic Livelihood Recipients Donated for Injured Police Officers and Firefighters

A Handwritten Letter from a Head of Household Raising a Child with Disabilities
Donation Scheduled to be Delivered to Dong-gu Office

News of an anonymous donor who collected money by selling scrap paper to help police officers and firefighters injured in the Busan bathhouse explosion has added warmth to the story.

According to the Busan Bukbu Police Station on the 27th, a basic livelihood security recipient donated money collected from selling scrap paper to be used for injured police officers and firefighters.
[Photo by Busan Bukbu Police Station]

According to the Busan Bukbu Police Station on the 27th, a small box left by someone was found in front of the Deokcheon District Police Substation in Buk-gu that morning.

Inside the box were a letter, faded 1,000 won bills, several 500 won coins, and about 45,000 won in cash.

According to the Busan Bukbu Police Station on the 27th, a basic livelihood security recipient donated money collected from selling scrap paper to be used for injured police officers and firefighters.
[Photo by Busan Bukbu Police Station]

The owner of the box, Mr. A, introduced himself in the letter as the head of a basic livelihood security recipient household raising a disabled child.

He said, "I cried a lot watching the news about the police officers and firefighters injured in the recent explosion accident," and added, "This money was collected by selling scrap paper, so I am sorry that the amount is small." He continued, "Please stay strong, and I hope this helps even a little," and "I wish for a speedy recovery."

Jung Hak-seop, team leader of the Deokcheon District Police Substation, expressed gratitude, saying, "We thank you for extending a helping hand despite your own difficult circumstances."

The Deokcheon District Police Substation plans to deliver Mr. A's donation to Dong-gu Office.

Earlier, on the 1st of last month, around 1:40 p.m., two explosions occurred about 30 minutes apart in the basement level 1 of a four-story bathhouse building in Dong-gu, Busan. At that time, 23 people were injured, including 10 firefighters extinguishing the fire caused by the explosion and 3 police officers controlling the scene. Some firefighters sustained serious injuries.

A joint investigation by the Busan Fire and Disaster Headquarters, police, National Fire Agency’s National Fire Research Institute, and the National Forensic Service found that the first explosion was caused by fuel vapor from a fuel tank igniting upon contact with a flame. The second explosion occurred when an ignition source entered the fuel tank piping damaged by the first explosion. However, the exact ignition source was not identified.