A middle-aged woman, wearing a sun hat and slippers, was seen stepping into Seoul's Cheonggyecheon Stream to collect coins.
Despite other visitors at the stream signaling their disapproval, she continued to pick up coins without regard for those around her. Shortly after, a man dressed in black appeared and joined her in collecting the coins.
The pair placed the coins they gathered into their pockets and a bag they had brought with them before calmly walking away. The video of the incident was recently shared on social media and online communities, sparking controversy.
The coins they collected were those tossed into the stream by citizens making wishes. The person who posted the video expressed outrage, stating, "This is a clear criminal act."
The location is the "Lucky Coin" section of Palseokdam at Cheonggyecheon Stream.
A sign displayed at the site reads, "The 'Lucky Coins' collected from Palseokdam are used for educational support projects for children both domestically and around the world through the Seoul Scholarship Foundation and the Korean Committee for UNICEF."
Netizens who saw the footage reacted with anger, commenting, "It is theft, so I wonder why they weren't reported," "They have no shame, doing this in broad daylight while everyone is watching," and "Regardless of the amount, this is a matter that should be investigated as theft."
Since 2011, the Seoul Facilities Corporation has been collecting the "Lucky Coins" voluntarily thrown by Seoul citizens and tourists into Palseokdam and delivering them to the Korean Committee for UNICEF to be used as a special fund.
Reported by Kim Taewon | Video by Jang Yujin | Graphics by Lee Jeongju | Produced by SBS Digital News | Source: X @golae540637
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