Seoul River Coin-Collecting Incident Sparks Public Outcry

A video circulated online shows a woman entering the Cheonggyecheon stream in Seoul and gathering dozens of coins that visitors traditionally toss in with wishes. After she began collecting, a man joined her, and both filled a bag with the coins.

The coins are normally retrieved by the Seoul Facilities Corporation; Korean coins fund the Seoul Scholarship Foundation, while foreign coins are donated to UNICEF Korea. The public reaction was sharply critical, with many demanding theft charges and questioning the appropriateness of removing money intended for charitable use. Online commentary also speculated about the individuals' nationalities, though none was confirmed.

The incident has prompted broader debate about respect for public customs and the handling of donated money in popular tourist sites.