Jumping into the Water in Front of Crowds... Can the Man and Woman Who Collected Cheonggyecheon Wish Coins Be Punished?

Collected Coins in Front of Citizens and Tourists

Growing Calls for Identification and Punishment

Key Issue: Whether the Coins Are Managed Property of Seoul

If Collusion and Cooperation Are Proven, Aggravated Theft May Apply

A man and woman were spotted entering Palseokdam in Cheonggyecheon, Seoul, and collecting large amounts of "lucky coins" thrown by citizens and tourists. Since these coins are used for scholarships and child support around the world, calls are mounting for the perpetrators to be held accountable.

On July 21, a video circulated on social media platforms showing a man and woman, who appear to be middle-aged, picking up coins from the water in Cheonggyecheon and placing them in their bags.

A man and woman have been spotted scooping up a large pile of "lucky coins" thrown by citizens and tourists at Palseokdam in Cheonggyecheon, Seoul, sparking controversy. SNS

The video shows a woman wearing a sunshade and slippers entering the stream and picking up coins one by one from the bottom. A man, appearing to be her companion, joined her shortly thereafter. Despite being watched by many citizens, families, and children among the visitors, both individuals continued to collect the coins and placed them in a bag they had apparently brought in advance. Subsequently, they reportedly covered their faces with a sunshade and umbrella before leaving the scene.

The video was filmed at Palseokdam, located near Mojeongyo Bridge in Cheonggye Plaza. This site is made of stones symbolizing the eight provinces of Korea, and has become a tourist attraction known as the "Trevi Fountain of Seoul" due to the story that throwing a coin toward the wish stone in the center will make your wish come true. However, the coins thrown into Palseokdam are not merely money discarded in water. The Seoul Facilities Corporation regularly collects the coins: domestic coins are used for scholarship programs run by the Seoul Scholarship Foundation, while foreign coins are used by organizations such as the Korean Committee for UNICEF to support children overseas. There is also a sign at the site that explains how the coins are used.

Upon seeing the video, online commenters responded with statements like, "How could someone do that in front of children?", "This is no different from taking charity funds," "Their identities should be found by checking CCTV footage," and "Those involved must be held accountable."

Was it picked up or stolen? ... What is the legal responsibility for taking coins from Palseokdam in Cheonggyecheon

So, can taking coins from the water constitute theft? According to Article 329 of the Criminal Act of South Korea, anyone who steals another person's property can be sentenced to up to 6 years in prison or fined up to 10 million won. The Supreme Court defines theft as "moving property occupied by another into one’s own possession against the will of the possessor." Whether an item is under someone’s possession is judged by considering the scope of management, the possibility of management, and intentions of control, according to social norms.

The video was filmed at Palseokdam, located near Mojeongyo Bridge in Cheonggye Plaza. This place, made of stones representing the eight provinces of Korea, has become a popular tourist spot known as the "Trevi Fountain of Seoul" because of a story that if you throw a coin towards the wish stone in the center, your wish will come true. SNS

Coins in Palseokdam are continuously collected, washed, and sorted by the Seoul Facilities Corporation and then allocated to specific public interest projects. There is a sign specifying the use of the coins. Therefore, rather than considering the coins as unowned property or simple lost items, it is more likely they are regarded as assets under the practical control and management of Seoul City or the managing institution.

Indeed, in 2006, just after the opening of Cheonggyecheon, there were a series of thefts targeting Palseokdam coins. At that time, Seoul City identified people stealing coins once or twice a week. As damages continued, special nighttime security and closed-circuit (CC) TV were installed. A police officer at the time explained that even if the coins were donated by citizens, since Seoul City has the responsibility of managing them as property, taking them could constitute theft.

Some argue that because the money is picked up from the water, the crime of misappropriation of lost property could apply. Article 360 of the Criminal Act states that anyone who takes lost or abandoned property, or property that has left the possession of another, faces up to 1 year in prison or a fine or penalty not exceeding 3 million won. However, since Palseokdam is managed and inspected daily by the Facilities Corporation, and coins are regularly collected, people who throw coins can see guidance explaining the money’s use for public interest. Given these circumstances, the legal community generally interprets that it is difficult to view such coins as lost property completely outside the caretaker’s control. Still, the specific charge depends on details such as how the coins were managed, the circumstances under which they were taken, and whether there was intent; these would be determined by investigators.

If the two acted together, 'Aggravated Theft' may apply

If it is confirmed that the two individuals in the footage divided roles in advance, exchanged signals, or acted together to take coins, the charge of aggravated theft may be considered. Article 331 of the Criminal Act stipulates that if a weapon is used or two or more people conspire to steal another's property, the penalty is a minimum of 1 year and up to 10 years in prison. However, merely being at the same place is not sufficient; there must be evidence of conspiracy, cooperation in terms of time and place, and division of execution of the act. Based on the current video alone, it cannot be concluded whether there was premeditation or a specific relationship between the two. Their exact identities, nationalities, and the amount of coins taken have not yet been determined.

Meanwhile, there have been other cases of people secretly taking coins thrown by tourists at famous attractions such as the Trevi Fountain. In particular, at the Trevi Fountain in Rome, Italy, tourists throw large sums of coins every year. The money collected is handed over to the Catholic charity Caritas and is used for free meal services, food banks, and assistance to vulnerable groups. Warning signs have been installed at the site prohibiting stealing coins, and it is forbidden to enter the fountain itself.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.