A Basic Livelihood Security Recipient Who Lost Memory Reunites with Family in Muk 2-dong, Jungnang-gu After 10 Years

A Basic Livelihood Security Recipient Who Left Home After a Small Dispute, Lost Memory Due to Stroke, and Lived Alone Reunites with Family After 10 Years... Following Transfer to Jungnang-gu in March, Social Welfare Officer Facilitates Family Meeting

Mr. Kim (center), who reunited with his family after 10 years, with his mother (left) and eldest sister (right), thanks to the help of Lee Jeong-mi, an official at Muk 2-dong Community Service Center

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] On the afternoon of the 9th at 2 PM, in a basement monthly rental room in Muk 2-dong, Jungnang-gu, a man in his 40s who had lost his memory and his mother embraced each other. The mother shed hot tears while looking at her son, and although the son appeared confused, he had a smile on his lips.

Jungnang-gu (Mayor Ryu Kyung-gi) announced that Mr. Kim, a basic livelihood security recipient in his 40s who had lost his memory of his family and was living alone, was reunited with his family after 10 years thanks to the efforts of a social welfare officer.

Mr. Kim left home after a minor quarrel in August 2011 and lived estranged from his family. In 2019, he suffered a stroke and underwent surgery, after which he lost his memory of his family and developed a speech disorder as a sequela. Living alone made daily life difficult for Mr. Kim, who became a basic livelihood security recipient in October last year and moved to Jungnang-gu in March of this year.

Lee Jeong-mi, a social welfare officer at the Muk 2-dong Community Service Center who met Mr. Kim, judged through regular counseling that his psychological anxiety was severe and provided care services and various sponsorship funds. While continuing monitoring, Officer Lee confirmed the information of the estranged family through an administrative information system inquiry and attempted to contact the family several times. She explained the situation to resolve misunderstandings and arranged a meeting, enabling the family reunion.

The mother and son, meeting each other for the first time in 10 years, resembled each other so much that it was obvious at a glance that they were mother and son. The mother and three sisters who reunited with Mr. Kim expressed their gratitude and held the hand of the responsible officer, shedding tears of joy.

Officer Lee said, “Since COVID-19, the risk of lonely death among middle-aged single-person households has increased, and many colleagues besides me are always doing their best for the vulnerable in the community,” adding, “Through Mr. Kim’s case, we reaffirmed that family love is also one of the welfare services we need to carefully attend to.”

Ryu Kyung-gi, Mayor of Jungnang-gu, said, “I am proud of all the employees who always do their best for residents at the forefront of administration,” and added, “We will continue to spare no effort to discover and support welfare blind spots in the community.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.