25 Million Won Found in Standardized Trash Bag Goes to Original Finder

A bundle of cash totaling 25 million won found inside a garbage bag in a residential area of Incheon has been handed over to the original finder after the owner failed to come forward.

According to the Incheon Jemulpo Police Station, 25 million won in cash was discovered inside a 20-liter standardized waste disposal bag discarded next to a villa in Geumgok-dong, Jemulpo-gu, Incheon, on February 10 of last year.

At the time, the bundles of cash consisted of 50,000-won bills tied together in stacks of 100 with Bank of Korea paper bands, covered by items of clothing.

A Mr. A in his 60s discovered the cash while checking the garbage bag to collect old clothes and reported it to the police.

The police initiated an investigation to identify the owner and determine any potential connection to a crime.

First, the police posted a public notice regarding the found lost property on the integrated lost and found portal and local newspapers, and even attached flyers around the location where the items were found.

They also directly visited dozens of nearby households to check if anyone had lost cash, but no one came forward to claim ownership.

The police were unable to secure biometric information such as fingerprints to identify the owner, and closed-circuit television footage from the surrounding area showed no unusual movements.

Six months passed without the owner appearing.

Under laws concerning lost property, if an owner does not claim their rights within six months after a public notice, ownership is transferred to the finder.

Accordingly, in August of last year, Mr. A received 19.23 million won via bank transfer, which was the 25 million won minus 5.77 million won for a 22% tax and local newspaper publication costs.

Mr. A acquired ownership as the original finder, as he did not fall under any disqualifying conditions for ownership such as failing to report or submit the lost property within seven days of finding it.

A police official stated that while it was confirmed there was no connection to any crime, the owner of the cash ultimately never appeared, and after managing the cash through the national treasury, it was disbursed to Mr. A.

(Photo provided by Incheon Jungbu Police Station, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.