Office worker scratches lottery ticket at lunch, wins W500m — and can't make a sound

An office worker who bought a scratch-off lottery ticket during a lunch break has come forward with a story of winning the top prize — and having to celebrate in silence.

According to Donhaeng Bokgwon, the lottery operator, the winner of the top prize in the 107th showing of Speetto 1000 — identified only as A — had made a habit of buying lottery tickets, including Lotto, pension lottery and Speetto varieties, during lunch breaks or on the commute home.

About a month ago, A visited a lottery retailer on Wangsan-ro in Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul during the lunch hour, exchanged previously won tickets for new ones, and returned to the office.

Back at the desk, A scratched the tickets without letting any colleagues notice — and saw the words "500 million won ($352,000)" staring back. It was the moment of a first-place win. "I wanted to scream with joy, but I was at work, so I just stomped my feet," A said. "I was so shocked my hands and feet were shaking, and I think I just stared blankly at my desk for a while."

As for plans for the winnings, A said the timing was fortunate. "I was already planning to move, so I intend to put it toward a new home," A said, adding: "I'm so happy. Thank you."

Speetto 1000 is an instant scratch-off lottery in which players win a prize if a lucky number matches any one of their six numbers. Each ticket costs 1,000 won, and the top prize is 500 million won.