[One Thousand Characters a Day] Convenience Store Promoter's 'Accidental Convenience Store' <4>

Editor's NoteConvenience stores are often called a microcosm of capitalism. They are described as "the commercial infrastructure of a city representing the neoliberal era with capitalist DNA" and "the vanguard of consumerism society that constantly reflects modern lifestyles and introduces new products." These are the cold attributes that come to mind when thinking of convenience stores. However, looking beneath the surface reveals warm and heartfelt stories of people. The author depicts the world of convenience stores?always nearby but often taken for granted?in a lively and sometimes serious manner. Behind the common convenience stores we pass by without much thought lies the scent of life we live and the footprints of civilization. The text contains 938 characters.

There is a saying, "Poverty cannot be helped even by the king." This is because helping someone's poverty is an endless task. No matter how much compassion I feel, I cannot take responsibility for the livelihood of the grandmother who collects recyclables with my own means. However, I believe that our small interest can create more sound institutions and systems and provide essential help to socially vulnerable people like the convenience store grandmother.

(Omitted)

Convenience stores receive goods daily and produce empty boxes, making them places frequently visited by elderly people collecting recyclables. Some convenience stores even put up notices saying, "There are people who collect recyclables here," and manage designated spots to take care of the elderly. What is casually discarded as mere trash is actually something desperately needed by someone, and knowing that it sustains their lives is a gesture of consideration that quietly moves us. Many store owners willingly offer near-expiration lunchboxes and food to the elderly collecting recyclables. They remind them to eat quickly before the food spoils and kindly say they are always welcome to come back whenever needed. Although this is a simple way to ease the hardships of making a living with food, it is an excellent form of customized welfare better than any policy. This is the warm convenience "jeong (情)" that becomes a protective fence in our lives.

After feeling the weight of poverty in front of a convenience store, I wished for a world where at least the grandmother could have a proper meal without worry, burden, or hesitation. Scholars often unite their voices to find and solve the root causes of poverty among vulnerable groups. Unfortunately, our society is sharply divided in perspective, not only failing to find fundamental causes and solutions regarding welfare, wealth redistribution, or simply providing free meals to disadvantaged neighbors around us.

－Yu Cheolhyun, <Accidental Convenience Store>, Dolbegae, 17,500 KRW