Residents of a Seoul apartment complex raised more than 10 million won to cover medical costs for a maintenance worker who had to leave his job due to illness, a story that has drawn widespread praise online.
The story came to light when a notice posted in April by the residents' association of an apartment complex in Ichon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, was shared on an online community forum.
According to the notice, the maintenance technician, identified only by the surname initial A, had worked at the complex for about seven years since March 2019 before being diagnosed with a myeloproliferative neoplasm and having to resign.
The residents' association launched a donation drive to support A, who had spent years managing and maintaining the complex. He needed around 30 million won ($21,200) to cover bone marrow transplant surgery and nursing care costs.
"He is currently suffering the double burden of enormous medical and nursing care expenses due to a serious illness," the association said in its appeal to residents. "Please come together with warm generosity so that he can get back on his feet, as a token of gratitude for his years of hard work."
The drive ran for 11 days from April 20 to April 30, with collection boxes placed at the information desk of each building. Residents from all 460 households, along with the residents' association, the complex's senior citizens' club and fellow employees, all took part — raising a total of 16 million won.
The association delivered the funds directly to A so he could use them for his surgery. He subsequently underwent a successful bone marrow transplant, was discharged from the hospital in mid-July and is now recovering at home.
As the story spread online, an outpouring of admiration followed. "The residents are the truly wealthy ones," wrote one user. "It makes me think the world is still worth living in," said another. Others called it "a truly premium apartment — because of the people who live there."
bbo@heraldcorp.com
