After 62 years without a name, South Korean man finally gets ID

For over six decades, Kang, a 62-year-old man, lived as a 'ghost' in South Korea, officially existing but unregistered. Born in 1964, he was never registered at birth due to his parents' indifference and drifted between relatives' homes before ending up in an orphanage. His life after leaving the facility was marked by isolation and the profound challenges of being undocumented.

Without a resident registration, Kang faced immense hurdles. He couldn't access medical insurance, making hospital visits difficult, and opening a bank account or securing stable employment was impossible. He repeatedly sought help from administrative agencies since his youth, but the constant response was the lack of necessary documents, leaving him frustrated and eventually leading him to abandon his dream of official recognition.

He spent decades wandering without a fixed address, living in the shadows. In August last year, Kang approached Suwon City Hall's 'Sae-bit Civil Affairs Office' as a last resort, harboring little hope due to past failures. There, he met Kim Gyeong-suk, a veteran team leader, who took his plight seriously.

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Now I can live like a human being, with my own name.

Kim immediately began investigating Kang's living conditions and past records. She connected him with legal experts and guided him through the complex process of establishing a family register and creating a new surname and given name. This involved numerous visits to the Suwon Family Court, district offices, and administrative centers, with Kim acting as Kang's steadfast supporter and guide.

On June 18, the Suwon Family Court approved the creation of Kang's family register. On June 24, his name was officially recorded, and he received his first resident registration card. This marked the resurrection of a man who had lived in obscurity for 60 years, finally becoming a proud citizen of South Korea. Kang can now access healthcare, conduct financial transactions, and receive welfare services, expressing deep gratitude to Kim and the Suwon City officials for enabling him to live a normal life.

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I had given up on life because even after visiting government offices for a long time, nothing worked out. Thanks to the veteran team leader who took my case as her own, I finally received my resident registration card.