Convenience store employees at Incheon International Airport have been rewarded for their dedicated efforts to help a Japanese tourist recover a lost pair of wireless earbuds.

Incheon International Airport Corporation announced today (July 16) that it has presented a special merit award to Han Jeong-ho (26, male) and Takeuchi Kira (23, female), who work at a convenience store in the airport.

Last month, the two employees helped a Japanese tourist, who was preparing to depart, retrieve a pair of wireless earbuds that had fallen into a narrow gap between display shelves at a convenience store in Incheon Airport Terminal 1.

The Japanese tourist, identified as A, shared the experience on social media, and the post garnered significant attention and positive reactions in Japan.

"My younger sibling was flustered after dropping the earbuds into the gap under the display shelf, but the staff did not give up and found them for us," A wrote, expressing gratitude.

A noted that they had told the staff several times, "It is okay to leave it if it is too difficult to retrieve," but the employees went as far as disassembling the shelf partition to pull the earbuds out from a pile of dust.

"I simply did what was natural, hoping that everyone who visits the airport leaves with only good memories of Korea," said Han Jeong-ho.

Takeuchi Kira added, "I believe it is a natural duty as a member of the airport staff to help passengers in need, regardless of their nationality."

Incheon International Airport Corporation stated that it plans to continue actively rewarding heartwarming acts that take place at Incheon Airport, which serves as the gateway and first impression of South Korea.