"Five 1 Million Won Checks With a Note Saying 'A Small Sum'... Anonymous Donor's Good Deeds Continue for 10 Years"

Delivered with a Note Saying "A Small Sum"
Gapyeong County to Use Donations for Local Low-Income Residents

Five 1 million won checks of unknown origin were delivered to Cheongpyeong-myeon in Gapyeong County, Gyeonggi Province. They were accompanied by a note stating, "I want to be with neighbors in need."

According to a report by Yonhap News on January 2, citing Gapyeong County, there is a benefactor who has been performing good deeds for 10 years. On December 30, during lunchtime, a man visited the Cheongpyeong-myeon office and handed an envelope to an employee.

Gapyeong County in Gyeonggi Province announced on the 2nd that an anonymous donor visited the Cheongpyeong-myeon Administrative Welfare Center at the end of the year and donated 5 million won to help neighbors in need. Provided by Gapyeong County

Inside the envelope were five 1 million won checks, totaling 5 million won, along with a note written on scrap paper that read, "Although it is a small sum, I want to support neighbors in need in the community." The man explained that he was delivering the donation on behalf of the donor, who was busy.

Every winter, the same note and amount have been delivered to the Cheongpyeong-myeon office. Since 2016, donations have been made to the office once or twice a year. Including this latest donation, the benefactor has contributed a total of 86,177,870 won over 17 occasions. However, this time, the man who delivered the envelope was not the donor, who had previously appeared to be in his 60s.

Most of the envelopes contained five 1 million won checks. On three occasions, the donations were different: 1 million won in 2020, 5,177,870 won in 2021, and 10 million won in 2023. The wording and handwriting on the notes were always the same, using the humble expression "a small sum."

The staff who received the envelope asked for the man's address, occupation, and age, but he firmly declined to provide any information. He simply said, "I hope this will be used well for those in need," and left. He also declined an offer to have a cup of tea.

As a result, various rumors have circulated in the community about the benefactor, suggesting he might be a businessperson, a self-employed individual, or a landowner. Some long-serving staff at the Cheongpyeong-myeon office have a suspicion about the benefactor's identity, but out of respect for his wishes, they have refrained from mentioning any names.

Park Sungkyu, head of Cheongpyeong-myeon, said, "Even in economically difficult times, the donor quietly practiced sharing without seeking recognition for his good deeds. I extend my deepest gratitude and respect," adding, "We will ensure that the donor's wishes are fully delivered throughout the community."

The donations will be used to support low-income households in the area through the Community Chest of Korea.

Meanwhile, on the same day, Goesan County in North Chungcheong Province announced that an anonymous donor contributed 20 million won to help provide heating support for vulnerable groups. The donor requested that the funds be used for those in need and did not want any public mention or recognition.

The donation will be used to provide 500 briquettes per household to 40 vulnerable households that use briquette boilers.