Cash Chaos in Seoul as Pedestrian Drops Over 10 Million Won on Crosswalk

Hundreds of 50,000-won banknotes scattered across a crosswalk near Euljiro 4-ga in Jung-gu, Seoul, on January 2 after a pedestrian accidentally dropped more than 10 million won ($7,000) from their pocket while crossing the street.

"A citizen crossing the crosswalk dropped a large amount of cash from their pocket," a police official said Friday. "It was more than 10 million won."

The official added that the individual said the money was for business purposes and was released without charges as no criminal activity was suspected.

Witnesses rushed into the roadway to collect the bills, bringing traffic to a standstill. One witness said, "I saw a 50,000-won note on the ground, and when I looked up, there were so many more on the road. I picked up about 2 million won and handed it to a police officer."

A social media post by the witness documenting the incident surpassed 3 million views within two days.

Incidents involving large sums of cash falling in public spaces occur from time to time. In February 2016, a resident in Cheongju dropped 6.5 million won while shaking out a carpet on their balcony. Neighbors and a security guard recovered 5.8 million won, but 700,000 won was never found. In October 2020, a resident of an apartment in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, threw 120 fifty-thousand-won notes (6 million won) out of a high-rise window in a fit of anger. Police and neighbors worked together to recover the money.

"Dropped money is still considered to be under the owner's possession, so taking it could result in punishment for embezzlement of lost property," said Koo Min-hye, representative attorney at Bisang Law Firm.

Under Article 360 of the Criminal Act, anyone who embezzles lost property or property that has left another person's possession faces up to one year in prison or a fine of up to 3 million won. Anyone who finds money on the street is required to report it to the police.