South Korean security guard finds gold in rice cooker, returns it to family

A security guard in Geoje, South Korea, turned a routine task into an unexpected windfall when he found almost 100 grams of gold hidden inside a discarded electric rice cooker. The discovery, made on April 12 while sorting recyclables, included gold bars, coins, and a ring valued at approximately 19.1 million won (about $16,000).

The gold, traditionally measured in "don" in South Korea, was reported to the police the following day by the guard, who sought help in finding the owner. Investigators reviewed security footage and conducted inquiries, eventually identifying the gold's origin.

Police determined that an elderly woman, who had recently passed away, had stored the valuables in the rice cooker. Her children, unaware of the contents, had disposed of the appliance while sorting through her possessions. The recovered gold was subsequently returned to the grieving family.

The story gained significant traction online after the National Police Agency shared a video of the discovery. Many netizens lauded the guard's honesty, with one commenter noting that he acted as a "true hero" by ensuring the family recovered their mother's lost valuables.

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He could have simply kept it and nobody would have known. If it weren’t for him, the family might never have discovered their mother’s valuables. He’s a true hero.