South Korean Man Stole Money From Temple As A Kid & Returns It 27 Years Later
"I want to be a proud and wonderful father to my future child," he wrote.
By Celine Low — 19 Sep 2024, 04:32 PM
A repentant South Korean man has confessed to stealing money from a temple 27 years ago and left an envelope containing two million won (approximately RM6,393) along with an anonymous apology letter
Temple workers at Jajangam Hermitage, part of Tongdo Temple in Yangsan, South Gyeongsang Province, discovered the envelope in their donation box on 20 August.
In the handwritten letter, the anonymous writer confessed to stealing about 30,000 won (approximately RM96) from the temple's offering box during the Asian financial crisis in 1997.
"I was thoughtless when I was young," the letter began. "I remember climbing up the mountain [to the temple] and stealing from a donation box in Jajangam 27 years ago."
He recounted that a few days later, he returned to the temple to steal more money, but was caught by a monk
Instead of reprimanding him, the monk placed his hand on the writer's shoulder and, without uttering a word, simply shook his head in disapproval.
Then, the monk let him go.
The writer, now an expectant father, expressed deep gratitude for the monk's silent compassion
He shared that the monk's gesture profoundly affected him, and since that day, he has never again coveted what belonged to others.
"I have worked hard and lived a good, honest life. Looking back now, I think the monk cast a spell that guided me to be good," he wrote.
The man expressed regret over the incident and apologised for not returning the money sooner. He also shared his desire to be a proud and wonderful father to his future child.
"I'm so grateful to the monk. I'm sorry again," the letter concluded.
A view of Jajangam Hermitage at Tongdosa Temple in Yangsan, South Gyeongsang Province.
Image via Encyclopedia of Korean Culture/The Korea TimesAccording to a Jajangan temple official, Monk Hyeonmun remembers the incident and was deeply moved by the man's letter
Monk Hyeonmun, who served as the chief priest of Tongdosa Temple at the time, does not remember the boy's face but recalls that he was likely an elementary or middle school student.
Without CCTVs back then, it was common for people to break the locks on donation boxes and steal the cash inside. Reflecting on those times, the monk said, "It was such a difficult time, and everyone was struggling, so we didn't try to catch the thieves; we just let them go."
In his response to the letter, the monk wishes the man well.
"I believe you will become a wonderful father who will not feel ashamed in front of your soon-to-be-born child. I wish you a future filled with good things."
