"I Want to Repay the Care and Love I Received, Even Though I Have Never Laid a Single Brick in Korea"
Seongnam City, Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Shin Sang-jin) announced on the 4th that a public official A, a North Korean defector employed by the city, donated his entire first monthly salary of 2 million won to the victims of the large-scale wildfire that recently occurred in the Gyeongbuk region.
A public official A, a North Korean defector affiliated with Seongnam City, recently donated his entire first monthly salary of 2 million won to the victims of the large-scale wildfire that occurred in the Gyeongbuk region. The photo shows a letter from the North Korean defector public official. Provided by Seongnam City. Photo by Seongnam City
In a letter sent along with the donation, Mr. A said, "I have never laid a single brick or planted a single tree in the Republic of Korea, but the reason I can live well is thanks to the care and love of many people." He added, "Seeing people who have no connection to me and come from different hometowns smile and share our pain made me think that I am truly living on good land, and I decided to become someone who repays this precious love."
He continued, "Many people are suffering due to this large wildfire, and it was heartbreaking to hear that several public officials lost their precious lives," adding, "Although it is not a large amount, I want to contribute to the Republic of Korea, which is going through difficulties, so I decided to donate my first salary."
He also said, "I would be grateful if the people of the Republic of Korea could accept the heartfelt feelings of a North Korean defector public official who is settling in well."
The donation will be used to support the wildfire victims through the Seongnam City Public Officials Labor Union.
Mr. A settled alone in the Republic of Korea six years ago, leaving everything behind. Despite the unfamiliar environment and language, he persevered without despair and built his life steadily. In December last year, he was hired by Seongnam City as a two-year term public official. Currently, he is assigned to the city hall, handling counseling in the social welfare field, support for North Korean defectors, and grievance counseling.
Since 2017, Seongnam City has been hiring public officials from North Korean defectors to help them settle stably due to their lack of living infrastructure and to strengthen communication between them and the local community.
Mayor Shin Sang-jin of Seongnam City said, "I bow my head to this meaningful donation from a person who has endured the weight of life more deeply than anyone else," adding, "This warm gesture, where a person who once received help now becomes a helper, is exactly the kind of community we aspire to."
He added, "Seongnam City will remember this person's courage and warm heart for a long time."
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