Hi, I am traveling to Korea for the first time this summer since I emigrated 25 years ago to the United States. This trip came together after I forfeited my Korean citizenship to avoid conscription and to be able to visit Korea. One thing I would like to do is to trace down my father’s family side, who I lost contact with shortly after leaving Korea. My parents basically cut off contact with them when I was about 10 years old, and I never got to say goodbye. I would really like to know 1) if my grandparents are alive 2) who my cousins, aunts, and uncles are 3) and where my old grandparents’ place in Incheon was 4) where my grandparents may be buried — even knowing one of four would be considered a huge success.
I followed r/korea‘s most common advice about family reunification and contacted my local Korean consulate. However, the consulate tells me that because I’m not an adoptee, because my family was not separated by tragic outside circumstances (i.e. war), and because I forfeited my citizenship, they cannot help me. I am estranged to both my parents, not that it would have helped; my father never ever spoke about his own parents or siblings in the two decades we were together.
Unfortunately, I am going off thin details: I know my clan name, I know my father went to 제물포고등학교, I know my grandparents lived near the high school in the 1990s, I know my father was born in 화성. I don’t even remember their names. I can remember their faces. And the only person who know their names won’t talk to me. I don’t know why I want to know except that they were big part of my life before we left for America, and I never had closure.
I would like to know 1) services I can use while in Korea to look for my father’s family 2) what I can do pre-trip to best prepare for in-person service visits in Korea. I looked into private investigators, but it seems far too complicated to understand. I’m running out of ideas. Any guidance would be massive appreciated. Thank you!
submitted by /u/teemutainio6
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