Money Suddenly Falling All Over the Road
People walking near station Euljiro 4-ga in Seoul were stunned when 50,000 won banknotes suddenly appeared scattered across the road, on 2 December.
Photo Courtesy of The Korea Herald
Videos shared online showed banknotes everywhere—on the crosswalk, the road, and even under cars.Several pedestrians rushed toward the bills while cars stopped to avoid hitting them.
People Picking Up Scattered Cash
A social media user, known as A, wrote, “I saw a 50,000 won note on the ground and then noticed many more. The whole road was full of cash.”
Photo Courtesy of The Korea Herald
A picked up the money and handed it to the police, saying later, “I think I collected around 2 million won. I wish I could have kept at least one bill.”
Not Thrown from a Bus After All
Although A guessed the money came from a bus, the police confirmed a different story. A pedestrian had dropped over 10 million won while crossing the street.
Photo Courtesy of The Korea Herald
The person later explained that the cash was for work and had accidentally fallen out of their pocket. Since the owner came forward and no crime was involved, they were allowed to return home safely.
Similar Incidents Have Happened Before
Cases of money scattering in public places are not new. In one 2016 case in Cheongju, a resident accidentally dropped ( S$5,730) 6.5 million won while shaking out a carpet.
Neighbors returned most of it.
Money Falling from the Sky—But Can You Keep It?
Under Korean law, keeping money that someone lost by accident can be a crime. Article 360 of the Criminal Act states that taking lost property can result in up to one year in prison or a fine of up to S$2,644 (3 million won). Legal experts say the rule applies unless the owner intentionally abandons the money.
When Is It Legal to Keep the Cash?
A lawyer explained that if the owner clearly gives up ownership—such as a woman in 2016 who threw 22 million won in Seoul Plaza and told people to take it—then keeping the money is not punishable.
However, if someone scatters money in a way that disrupts public order, they could still face charges for causing disturbance or blocking traffic.
Police Continue to Review the Incident
Although the mystery of the Euljiro money has been solved, the story continues to spread online as people express shock and curiosity.
For now, the cash has been safely returned to its owner, and the police have reminded the public that unexpected “windfalls” on the street are not free to take unless the owner clearly abandons them.
Watch the video here:
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