On the 12th of last month, an old man in his 70s visited the Sinchon District of the Seodaemun Police Station in Seoul carrying a yellow envelope.



The old man handed the envelope to the district commander and left, saying, "I am asking for a friend who lives in America."



When I opened the envelope, there was a check for 2,000 dollars and a letter that began with "Dear Shinchon Police Station Director."



The person who sent the letter was Jang Mo (72, male), who requested anonymity.



Jang introduced, "I live in New York, USA, and I am waiting for the day I will retire from my job."



It is said that he came to Sinchon, Seoul from a rural village in Gangwon-do in the mid-1970s and lived as a high school student.



One winter night, while returning home hungry from a part-time job, I ran into a woman who stopped a truck in the back alley of Sinchon Market and sold mussels.



Zhang was very hungry, but had no money on hand.



I thought, "Can I have just one bowl? I'll bring the money tomorrow."



One of the ladies willingly gave me a hot bowl and said it was delicious.



However, Mr. Zhang did not pay for the mussels.



"Even the next day, it was the same as not having money, so I couldn't pay it back in the end," he said.



Since then, after completing his military service, Jang immigrated to the United States, and he has been living in debt to the old woman.



"He said he felt guilty about living as a liar to that kind person.



He wrote, "It is too late to look back on my life, but I am writing this letter with money in the hopes of repaying for good deeds."




With $2,000, Jang added, "If you could provide even one hot meal to the most needy person in the area, I would be most grateful."



Sinchon Regional University Chief Hwang Young-sik donated 2,266,436 won, which was converted to 2,000 dollars, to the Sinchon-dong Community Security Council (Mabom Council) today (28th).



The council is an organization affiliated with Seodaemun-gu that delivers food and daily necessities to neighbors in need, such as beneficiaries of basic livelihood security, the elderly, and single-person households with disabilities.



Director Hwang said, "I am happy to be able to serve warm food at the end of the year to the most difficult people according to the donor's wishes.



(Photo = provided by Sinchon District, Yonhap News)