Incheon citizens show compassion for shoplifting family

By Kang Seung-woo

A “Christmas miracle” already seems to be happening to a father and son caught shoplifting, as the local community, taking pity on the family for its dire circumstances, has stepped in to help.

On Tuesday, a father, 34, and a son, 12, were caught stealing two cartons of milk, six apples and some drinks in an Incheon-based store. The emotional father said he was trying to feed his hungry family, which included his aged mother and seven-year-old son.

According to police, the family receives basic living subsidies from the government and the father, a cab driver, has been unable to work for six months due to diabetes and a thyroid condition.

The store owner forgave the family and pleaded for them to receive light punishment, to which police agreed, classifying the crime as minor and releasing the offenders with a warning.

Then a police officer took the father and son to a restaurant and bought them a meal. A customer, who heard about the family's circumstances, visited the restaurant and gave the man an envelope containing 200,000 won ($170).

The heartwarming response has since continued, with a local community welfare center planning to find the father a job and the son receiving a free meal card.

Neighbors also visited the store and bought a variety of groceries ranging from instant noodles to fruits to eggs and daily necessities for the family.

The father expressed his gratitude to those who helped ― particularly the man who gave him the cash.

“Even though we do not know each other, he gave me the money. I want to meet him and express a word of thanks,” the father said.