Resident who gives 150,000 won monthly also donated 1 million won when mother died last year
A resident of Hoegi-dong in Seoul's Dongdaemun-gu has donated 10 million won ($7,510) in state compensation received for the Jeju April 3 Incident to help struggling neighbors.
Dongdaemun-gu said the resident handed over the 10 million won on Monday as a contribution to the "2027 Hope ondol (a traditional Korean underfloor heating system) Warm Winter" campaign. The funds will go toward supporting low-income residents of Hoegi-dong facing financial hardship during the winter months.
The donor, who requested anonymity, decided to give after receiving state compensation tied to the Jeju April 3 Incident on behalf of a maternal grandmother. The donation honors the grandmother's memory and carries on the spirit of sharing and service that the donor's late mother had cherished.
"I hope the donation will be used for neighbors in Hoegi-dong who are going through difficult times," the donor said.
This is not the first act of giving by the resident. The donor has regularly contributed 150,000 won a month through the Hoegi-dong Hope Welfare Committee. When the donor's mother died last year, 1 million won was also donated in tribute to the deceased's spirit of generosity.
Dongdaemun-gu will run the "2027 Hope ondol Warm Winter" program from Sunday through Feb. 14 next year. Funds and goods collected will support the livelihoods, medical needs and housing of low-income residents and those who fall through the cracks of the welfare system.
Dongdaemun-gu District Mayor Choi Dong-min expressed deep gratitude to the donor for giving away compensation tied to a painful chapter of history for the benefit of those in need. "We will use the donation in keeping with the donor's intentions, so that the memory of the two people being honored can reach the neighbors they cared about," Choi said. Choi added that the district would work closely with the community to ensure residents who need help can get through the winter in good health.
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