"I Want to Make Amends for a Mistake from 20 Years Ago": A Handwritten Letter Found in a Cheongju Dream Box

A story has emerged of a citizen who left a cash donation and an apology letter in a donation box, expressing remorse for a thoughtless act committed 20 years ago and seeking to pay for stationery items taken without payment.

The city of Cheongju announced yesterday (July 9) that a handwritten letter and 250,000 won in cash were found on June 30 in the Dream Box, a donation bin installed at the E-mart Cheongju branch.

The donor introduced themselves as a customer who visited the E-mart Cheongju branch 20 years ago.

In the letter, the individual wrote, "In my immature childhood, out of curiosity and as a prank, I took a pencil case and writing utensils from E-mart without paying for them," adding, "I have been living with regret and shame for nearly 20 years."

The donor continued, "As an act of reflection and apology, I would like to pay for the items I did not pay for back then, even if it is late," and expressed their intention to "live as an upright person from now on."

An official from the E-mart Cheongju branch stated, "We were moved by the mature courage and conscience of a person who did not forget their mistake and sought to correct it even after so much time has passed."

E-mart delivered the cash to the city of Cheongju on July 2.

The city plans to use the funds to support vulnerable populations.

The Dream Box is a donation bin that the city has been installing in large local retail stores since July of last year.

When citizens donate food or daily necessities, they are delivered to neighbors in need through food banks and food markets.

Previously, between February and March of this year, an anonymous donor who identified themselves as an "overseas Korean ethnic Chinese uncle who loves children" also donated gift certificates worth 3.5 million won to the Dream Box at the E-mart Cheongju branch.

(Photo: Provided by Cheongju City, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.