Posted on 08/11/2021 5:20:23 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Some big-ticket purchases come with gifts that we are quick to discard. But not for this South Korean man who found something far more valuable instead.
He discovered 110 million won (S$130,000) in cash hidden underneath a kimchi refrigerator that he had purchased online, reported MBC News on Monday (Aug 9).
While cleaning the fridge, he found hundreds of 50,000 won bills covered in plastic and taped under the household appliance.
Instead of keeping the money, the Jeju resident went to the police to lodge a report on Aug 6.
A police officer who handled the case told MBC: "It was a large amount of money. It was absurd because we rarely had such cases."
The police are still investigating those who sold the item as well as those who transported the cargo to trace the money trail.
While many would not associate kimchi fridges with secret stashes, The Korea Times reported in 2015 that there were some South Koreans who started to hoard cash in kimchi fridges due to low bank interest rates at the time.
If filled with 50,000 won notes, a kimchi fridge can hold more than one billion won, according to the report.
According to the Lost and Found Act in South Korea, if the rightful owner can't be traced within six months, the cash will belong to the individual who discovered it (after paying a 22 per cent tax, that is).
However, if the owner is found, five to 20 per cent compensation will be paid to the person who discovered it.
If the money is connected to a crime, it will then be handed over to the state.
How do you say, “Anton Chigurh,” in Hangul?
Why do people who stumble upon large sums of cash, jewels, gold etc feel the need to publicize it?
LOL! Now will you kindly remove those chickens from the back of the truck?
I always knew kimchi was good for you.
This one sounds like a contest, so it had to be publicized.
You’re right. You’d never hear from me that I won the lottery or something. The moment I cashed by cheque and deposited the money into my bank accout, I’d be gone to some place else.
There, I would play the role of a retired middle manager of a garbage collections. My responsibility was scheduling shifts.
Because they have ethics?
In some cases, such as a stash of very old gold coins, it might not be wise to publicize it.
But in cases such as this, where there is a trail and a legal owner may be found, it makes sense.
Also tell him if he sees a flashy light thingy, throw it away immediately!
Word. I’m going to have some now.
The government will confiscate it most likely.
How do you get past the smell?
It’s the slimy texture that some have trouble with. Hot peppers in it are da bomb.
Had to ask, what’s so special about a Kim hi fridge....
kimchi refrigerator is a refrigerator designed specifically to meet the storage requirements of kimchi and facilitate different fermentation processes. Kimchi usually becomes too sour when stored in a conventional refrigerator for about a week. In contrast, kimchi can be stored up to 4 months without losing its qualities in a kimchi refrigerator.[1] The kimchi refrigerator aims to be colder, with more consistent temperature, more humidity, and less moving air than a conventional refrigerator, providing the ideal environment for fermentation of kimchi. Some models may include features such as a UV Sterilizer.
In a consumer survey aimed at Korean homemakers conducted by a top-ranking Korean media agency in 2004, the kimchi refrigerator was ranked first for most wanted household appliance. $$$$
I tried it once. It stunk up the place. Couldn’t take a second bite.
Hot peppers? No, thanks?
And large amounts of garlic. People will stay away from ya. Haha.
Because if the cash or whatever is loot that has been secretly or otherwise marked, if you’re caught with it, you’re in deep kimchi.
“I love you G.I. long time.”
Very interesting. Your post is a perfect example of the knowledge that so many FReepers share on FR. Thanks
Also because if the money was crime-connected, the owners may send out the Korean version of Mr. Lefty and Mr. Fingers to track it down. (Think along the lines of "No country for old men.)
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