[2021 Muyeongo Report] Pausing Often at the Heavy Traces... Visiting the Site of Personal Belongings Organization

<2>The Unclaimed Deceased Among Us

Sorting Belongings of Unclaimed Deceased After Moment of Silence
Alone Facing Death Amid Cold and Hunger
Debt Collection Notices and Blackout Curtains on Windows
Refrigerator Full of Food... Notebook with Recipes

The house of Mr. A, an unclaimed deceased person visited on the 4th. Unorganized clothes and other items are left around, and blackout curtains are installed on the windows.
Photo by Jeongyoon Lee leejuyoo@

[Asia Economy Special Coverage Team = Team Leader Ko Hyung-kwang, Reporters Yoo Byung-don, Jung Dong-hoon, Lee Jung-yoon] "It is truly heartbreaking to hear that he died of starvation while living alone last winter. It’s so tragic."

On the morning of the 4th, at a house in Seoul, scattered clothes, books, and cardboard boxes indicated that someone had been living, eating, and sleeping there. Due to blackout curtains stuck on the windows, the interior was dark. Mr. A, in his 70s, who had lost contact with his older brother and lived without family, suddenly developed dementia and was unable to feed himself. He ended his life in this place. In a dark room where even sunlight did not enter, he passed away without anyone ever holding his hand. It is said that his dementia had worsened to the point where he could not find his way home or even turn on the boiler.

Organizing the deceased’s belongings began with lighting incense and paying respects in the room where he passed away. After a moment of silent prayer lasting about 10 seconds, the process of sorting his belongings started. The blackout curtains that were stuck all over the windows were removed first. The deceased had been tormented by debt collection calls during his lifetime due to a poorly chosen guarantor.

Lee Chang-ho, CEO of Cheongukyanghaeng, who organized the belongings, said, "It seems the blackout curtains were installed on the windows and lights to hide the fact that someone was living there and to avoid debt collectors." Black plastic was covering the windows of the master bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, and most of the lights. Debt collection notices for unpaid rent and electricity bills were scattered throughout the house. Perhaps worried that someone might recognize him, Mr. A had blacked out his photo and name on his resident registration card so that his personal information could not be identified.

After removing the blackout curtains, various miscellaneous items in the two rooms, such as clothes and books, were placed into large sacks. Items that could be recycled, such as metal and plastic, were separated. A dusty drawer was moved outside the house. Items that could not be recycled were sorted separately for disposal.

Lee Chang-ho, CEO of Cheongukyanghaeng, is organizing the belongings of deceased person A, who had no known relatives. Photo by Lee Jung-yoon leejuyoo@

In the master bedroom, belongings that offered a glimpse into the deceased’s life were found. Although he lived isolated behind blackout curtains, he was quite active in religious activities. Bibles and notebooks filled with notes from Bible study caught the eye. The notebooks were densely packed with explanations of Bible verses and prayers. From a book titled "Learning Smartphones Easily" and an A4 sheet with Wi-Fi usage instructions, to boxes neatly packed with summer and winter clothes, one could see his will to live.

While the room was being organized, kitchen cleaning also began. The refrigerator was filled with food, making it hard to believe that the deceased had died from hunger. It was stocked with meat, pickled vegetables, cabbage, and various other vegetables. There was leftover batter from making pancakes and frozen multigrain rice. It seemed he had a strong interest in cooking. A notebook labeled "Cooking" was filled with dozens of recipes, such as "Gangdoenjang" and "Jangjorim," written firmly in pencil. The sorting of belongings continued into the afternoon. Usually, the time it takes to finish depends on the amount of belongings left behind by the deceased. However, Mr. A’s house was relatively well organized, so it did not take long. Since he died in winter, there was almost no foul odor or contamination, making the work easier.

The refrigerator of the unclaimed deceased A is full of food./Photo by Jeongyoon Lee leejuyoo@

The reporter also participated in the sorting that day. Each item touched and seen was carefully classified. While cleaning the place where the deceased had passed, his final moments came to mind. He must have struggled with hunger and cold. After hours of continuous work, a break was taken to quench thirst. Mr. Lee, who was organizing the next room, asked, "Is it okay since it’s your first time?" Thinking of the image of someone who had parted from the world completely alone, it was impossible to say "I’m okay."

※This article was produced with government advertising fees supported by the Korea Press Foundation.