Wealth sharing campaign spreading in Suncheon to aid coronavirus victims

SUNCHEON, South Korea, June 26 (Yonhap) -- A wealth sharing campaign has been spreading in Suncheon, a city about 415 kilometers south of Seoul, to support underprivileged citizens hit hard by the coronavirus outbreak, the municipality of Suncheon said Friday.

The campaign was launched in March at the proposal of Suncheon Mayor Heo Seok, who took a cue from the wealthy people of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), who were praised for practicing noblesse oblige by sharing their possessions with the poor under the so-called "gwonbun" movement.

A total of 104 institutions and groups have donated 680 million won (US$567,186), including 10 million won from the mayor himself, the city said.

Using the donations, the municipal government has created 500 to 1,000 aid packages every month for distribution to low-income households, disabled people, multicultural households and other underprivileged citizens suffering economic difficulties due to the spread of COVID-19.

The aid packages made with the help of volunteers contain daily necessities, including rice, "ramyeon" (instant noodles), dried laver, fruits and face masks, it said.

ycm@yna.co.kr
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