Public Servant Donates Smoking Savings to Less Fortunate

Byeon Chang-soo, 56, who works at the city-run Cheongju Land, made a donation of 5 million won to the city on July 20, and asked for the money to be used to help poor people stuck in welfare “blind spots.” (image: Cheongju City)

CHEONGJU, July 21 (Korea Bizwire) – A public servant in Cheongju has donated the money he saved from quitting smoking 10 years ago. He has been saving 3,000 won every day as his “cigarette price” for the past 10 years.

Byeon Chang-soo, 56, who works at the city-run Cheongju Land, made a donation of 5 million won to the city on July 20, and asked for the money to be used to help poor people stuck in welfare “blind spots.”

His meaningful donation goes way back to 10 years ago when he stopped smoking. He decided to quit smoking after he heard that one of his old friends had lung cancer. In addition to kicking the habit, he also began saving 3,000 won a day to represent the money that he would otherwise have spent on tobacco or cigarettes.

Over the past ten years, he saved up 14 million won, and decided to donate the money to the less fortunate.

Hi friend who was stricken with lung cancer eventually recovered, and the two friends now enjoy trekking in the nearby mountains. Byeon, a smoker for 30 years, is now in good health thanks to his decision to quit smoking.

Byeon said, “I’m very pleased with the fact that my small resolution is bearing fruits. I want to convey the message that if you live out with will, you can achieve a hopeful future.”

The city government will use the donated money to support less fortunate people.

By M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)