By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter
About one out of every 50 people here tried to change their names over the past 10 years, and more than 725,000 were successful, the Supreme Court said Sunday.
A total of 844,615 filed a change of name from 2000 to 2009, with 86.4 percent getting permission.
Most of them said they had been bullied or mistaken for someone else because of their names.
When ``hideous'' criminals, including serial killers and pedophiles, were caught, people who had the same names as theirs filed for revisions, which were mostly accepted.
According to the court, those wanting to change their name should file relevant documents to local Family Courts.
Applications for those under age are available, too, and the process takes about three months.
In 2005, the court said anyone can change their names unless the purpose is either to hide their identification or to evade civil responsibilities.