SEOUL (AFP) - - A homeless South Korean unable to withdraw his life savings because he could not remember his real name has died in poverty, officials said.The man, believed to be aged 56, died of cancer last month, leaving 128 million won (just over 100,000 dollars) in a bank account that was opened in early 1993 under the alias of Na Hae-Dong.
The account was frozen several months later when a law took effect to ban accounts held under false names, as an anti-corruption measure.
Deposits were still allowed but the account holder had to register a real name to withdraw money, something "Na" could not do.
"He didn't know what his real name was or where he was born. We tried but failed to identify him," Yoo Joon-Soo, the senior official of Yongbong district in the southwestern city of Gwangju, told AFP by phone.
The man collected scrap iron and other junk and slept on his cart under plastic sheets before moving in 2007 into a makeshift shelter made from a shipping container.
Though he could not withdraw from the account, he kept putting in savings.
"He used to say he wanted to buy a home with his savings," Yoo said.
"Last month, we applied for court approval to create his new ID and the court procedure was under way."
A local court is expected to order that the savings revert to the state, he added.
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THINKER THOTS
As we read this news report, a good time for us to reflect as well on how we have been spending our time and the purpose of our pursuits i.e. studies, career, money, relationships, results...etc in life?
Matthew 16:6
What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?
Matthew 6:19-20
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal."
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