'Flower Crab Consolation Gifts' Delivered to Police and Firefighters... "Grateful but Please Accept Only Our Hearts"

Cannot Receive Consolation Gifts Under Civil Servant Code of Conduct
Police Return Immediately... Fire Department Reports to Donation Review Committee

Authorities are deliberating on how to handle the 'flower crab consolation gifts' sent anonymously to various public offices, including police stations and fire stations in the Gwangju area.

Crabs delivered to various public offices such as police stations and fire stations in the Gwangju area.
[Image source=Gwangju Seobu Fire Station]

On the 8th, the Gwangju Police Agency and Gwangju Fire Headquarters reported that around 6 to 8 a.m., 2kg boxes of flower crabs were delivered to police precincts, substations, and fire safety centers. For the police, a total of 24 locations received the 'flower crab consolation gifts,' including four police stations (Seobu, Bukbu, Gwangsan, Dongbu) precincts and substations, excluding Nambu Police Station, and one riot police unit. In the case of Bukbu Police Station, the delivery was immediately returned upon receipt via courier. The fire stations also confirmed delivery to safety centers in four districts, excluding Nambu. Additionally, flower crabs were delivered via courier and parcel services to about 280 other locations, including hospitals and childcare facilities.

The boxes had letters attached, presumed to be written by the anonymous donor. The letter read, "To the firefighters and police officers who always work hard for us, we have prepared a small but heartfelt gift of Hwaram flower crabs." The donor seemed concerned about violating the so-called 'Kim Young-ran Act,' the Act on the Prohibition of Improper Solicitation and Graft, adding, "Since these are agricultural and marine products, they do not fall under the Kim Young-ran Act. Please enjoy them comfortably."

However, contrary to the donor’s intentions, the police regarded the gifts as consolation items and immediately initiated return procedures. According to Article 21 of the Code of Conduct for Public Officials (Reporting and Handling of Prohibited Gifts), police and fire officials are prohibited from accepting consolation gifts and must return them immediately if received. Although the regulations allow consolation gifts to be donated to other institutions, in this case, the live flower crabs could spoil during the process, making even that option difficult. In the afternoon, after identifying the donor’s whereabouts, the police plan to collect the crabs from precincts and return them all. A police official stated, "We appreciate the donor’s warm heart," but added, "After reviewing the regulations and laws, it was confirmed that the items cannot be handled according to the donor’s intentions."

Regarding the fire department, they intend to respect the donor’s wishes as much as possible by reporting the matter to the Donation Review Committee and awaiting the results. A fire department official said, "If the Donation Review Committee approves, the relevant personnel at each station can enjoy the meal or share it as originally intended by the donor," adding, "Until the results are out, the crabs will be stored frozen to prevent spoilage. If the decision is negative, we will then proceed with returning the items."