Yoo O-kyun delivers coffee to local firefighters (Photo source: Ediya Coffee X account capture)
SEOUL, Aug. 12 (Korea Bizwire) — In a heartwarming display of community spirit, individuals across South Korea are using their consumer recovery coupons not for personal benefit, but to support others in need.
This initiative, aimed at reviving local economies amid the ongoing challenges, has inspired numerous acts of kindness, from donating to frontline workers to aiding the elderly and underprivileged.
One notable act came from Yoo O-kyun, a 32-year-old office worker, who used the 180,000 won in consumer recovery coupons he received to purchase coffee for firefighters in Chuncheon.
He personally delivered 50 cups to the local fire station and nearby emergency centers. His selfless gesture inspired further contributions, including a generous donation of an additional 100 cups of coffee from a local coffee shop owner. In recognition of his efforts, Ediya Coffee rewarded Yoo and the shop with gift certificates worth 1 million won, which Yoo intends to donate to the same firefighters.
Others have followed suit. IT company owner Kwon In-jeon, moved by the plight of elderly people who are unable to receive proper care, donated 150,000 won in consumer coupons to a local senior welfare organization. “I thought of my grandmother, who is ill and alone,” Kwon shared, “and I wanted to help those in more difficult circumstances.”
Song Tae-heon (36), an emergency room nurse at the Osan U.S. Air Force Base, and his wife Jeon Yeong-eun (31) purchased essential goods worth 300,000 won with their consumer coupons and donated them to a local orphanage. (Photo courtesy of Song Tae-heon)
Emergency room nurse Song Tae-heon, whose wife is battling cancer, used his 300,000 won coupons to buy essential goods for a local orphanage. “Every day with my wife is a miracle, and I want to give back to society,” Song explained, highlighting the importance of using one’s resources for the greater good.
In Seoul, Lee Ji-ye, 24, dedicated her portion of the coupons to a foundation supporting war veterans, reflecting on her late grandfather’s service during the Korean War. Similarly, Go Jae-sung, who runs a board game café in Daejeon, combined his coupons with his own funds to deliver essential goods to a facility for people with mental disabilities.
These stories are not isolated. Across South Korea, citizens are choosing to use their coupons for altruistic purposes, from helping residents affected by floods to providing snacks for first responders. These acts of generosity have sparked admiration online, with social media users expressing both pride and reflection over their own personal choices.
The government’s consumer recovery coupon program, launched on July 21, was designed to stimulate the economy by giving individuals between 150,000 to 400,000 won. As of August 8, over 95% of eligible recipients had applied for the coupons, with a total of 8.7 trillion won distributed.
Through these small but meaningful gestures, South Koreans are turning a government initiative into a movement of compassion, helping to uplift their communities in times of need.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
