I Thought I Was 7th... The Owner Told Me "You're 1st"
Scheduled to Receive a Total of 2.1 Billion Won Over 20 Years as a Pension
A story about a 2.1 billion won lottery winner who thought they had won 7th prize in the pension lottery but found out they had actually won 1st prize thanks to the lottery store owner has become a hot topic.
On the 9th, Donghaeng Lottery released an interview with Mr. A, the 1st prize winner of the 222nd draw of the Pension Lottery 720+ held on the 8th, on their website.
Mr. A, who buys Lotto and Pension Lottery tickets on his way home from work in Meju, purchased lottery tickets that day at a lottery store in Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul.
He said, “There was something bad at work, so on my way home I thought I should have a drink. I was on my way to eat Seolleongtang alone when I saw the lottery store and bought Lotto and Pension Lottery tickets as usual.”
A few days later, Mr. A visited his usual lottery store to check the Pension Lottery winning numbers. Seeing that the last digit matched, he thought he had won 7th prize.
For the Pension Lottery 720+ sold by the lottery operator Donghaeng Lottery, if the last digit matches the 1st prize number, it is considered a 7th prize win. Winners of the 7th prize receive a lump sum payment of 1,000 won each, and since the Pension Lottery 720+ ticket price is 1,000 won per ticket, the winner requested to exchange the prize for another lottery ticket instead of cash on the spot.
However, the store owner was surprised upon seeing the ticket and informed him, “You have won 1st prize.” Mr. A explained, “Upon rechecking, I found out I had won both 1st and 2nd prizes simultaneously.”
The Pension Lottery 720+ tickets Mr. A won consist of one 1st prize ticket and four 2nd prize tickets, totaling five tickets. The Pension Lottery is sold in sets of five tickets, and if all sets are purchased with the same number, the winner receives one 1st prize and four 2nd prizes.
The 1st prize pays 7 million won monthly for 20 years, and the 2nd prize pays 1 million won monthly for 10 years in an annuity format. The total lottery winnings Mr. A will receive over 20 years amount to 2.16 billion won.
The winner said, “I was so happy that I joyfully informed my family about the win,” adding, “Like everyone else, I vaguely thought I would win someday, but I am grateful that such great luck has come.”
He also said, “At first, I was a bit disappointed that I couldn’t receive the prize as a lump sum,” but added, “However, thinking about my retirement, I realized it’s better to receive it as an annuity.” Regarding plans for the winnings, he added, “I plan to move to a bigger house.”
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