"The Youngest Son Who Disappeared on a Picnic... Even After 22 Years, His Mother Still Waits" [Searching for Lost Family]

"Young-Gwang, please come home soon. This is where you belong."Park Hyesook recalled her youngest son, Young-Gwang Mo, who went missing 22 years ago at the age of two (now 24), and spoke these words. She remains steadfast in her belief that her son is growing up somewhere and will return someday.
On October 10, 2003, Young-Gwang Mo disappeared during a daycare picnic when he was just two years old and had only recently stopped wearing diapers. It was only his fifth day attending daycare.
At that time, Young-Gwang, who attended daycare with his older sister, three years his senior, went on a picnic to Seongbulsa Temple on Jangsan Mountain in U 2-dong, Haeundae District, Busan. The morning was uneventful, and he played with his teacher, sister, and friends around the temple. There are even photos capturing these moments.
As lunchtime ended and it was time to go home, the teachers handed out snacks and prepared the children for departure. During the process of loading the children onto the vehicle, they realized Young-Gwang was missing. Three supervising teachers immediately searched the temple area for about an hour, but he was nowhere to be found.
While waiting for the daycare vehicle, Park Hyesook received the call that her son was missing. She rushed to the scene by taxi and searched every possible place—inside the temple, restrooms, and nearby trails—but all efforts were in vain. Even after the police and the 119 Rescue Team joined the large-scale search, not a single trace was found. Since the picnic, there has not been a single confirmed sighting of Young-Gwang.
Feeling disappointed by the initial police investigation, Park Hyesook organized her own 'dedicated search team' with friends and volunteers. Every day, she printed 5,000 flyers and distributed them at busy subway stations. She also mailed flyers to churches, kindergartens, and beauty salons nationwide—anywhere a child might appear. A truck with a recorded message describing Young-Gwang's appearance drove around Haeundae.
Whenever a tip came in about Young-Gwang, Park Hyesook rushed to the location immediately. Unfortunately, none led to a breakthrough. She recalled, "Whenever I heard that someone resembled Young-Gwang, I went straight there. When the case was broadcast on TV, tips would flood in, and I would chase after every lead. I repeated this for over ten years."
Time passed, and it has now been 22 years since Young-Gwang disappeared. Park Hyesook said that graduation and entrance ceremonies always brought her pain, as she longed to witness her son's elementary, middle, and high school milestones, but never had the chance. Now, Young-Gwang would be well into his twenties.
As Young-Gwang reached adulthood, Park Hyesook's outlook began to change. She believes that once a boy turns twenty, he gains the strength to protect himself. Now, she feels less anxious, trusting that wherever he is, he can at least take care of himself.
Young-Gwang was described as a child with tanned skin, striking eyes, and thick eyebrows. He was curious, affectionate, cheerful, and playful—the youngest in the family. Park Hyesook continues to wait for her son.
To her son, Park Hyesook said, "Young-Gwang, your home is here. Your sister is here, and so are your mom and dad. Please come home soon."
welcome@fnnews.com Jang Yu-ha Reporter