South Korean Adoptees Seek Truth and Connection

Advanced Level | May 8, 2025

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A Journey Back Home: South Korean Adoptees Search Birth Families

Thousands of South Korean adoptees, sent abroad as children, are returning to their birth country in search of their origins. Many face emotional challenges as they navigate unfamiliar cultures, languages, and often incomplete or falsified adoption records. Their journeys are filled with hope, frustration, and a deep desire for connection. These stories highlight the larger trend as South Korean adoptees search birth families across the globe.

Stories of Discovery and Heartache

Kenneth Barthel, adopted to Hawaii at age six, returned to Busan, the city where he was abandoned. He posted flyers and visited local establishments, hoping to find his birth mother. Despite multiple trips, he has yet to locate her but remains determined.

Maja Andersen, adopted to Denmark, visited the orphanage where she spent her early months. There, she learned small details about her infancy, like her love for hugs and her sparkling eyes. Though she didn’t find her birth family, these glimpses into her past provided comfort.

Government Investigation and Its Challenges

In 2022, South Korea’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission began investigating allegations of adoption fraud. Initial findings revealed that some adoption agencies had falsified documents, labeling children as orphans when they were not. However, the investigation has faced setbacks due to internal disagreements and time constraints, leaving many adoptees without answers.

Vocabulary

Adoptee (noun): An adopted person
Example: The adoptee traveled to South Korea to find her birth parents.
Falsified (verb): Altered information to mislead
Example: The documents were falsified to show the child was an orphan.
Reconciliation (noun): The act of making peace or coming to an agreement
Example: The commission aimed for reconciliation between adoptees and the government.
Orphanage (noun): A residential institution for the care of orphans
Example: She visited the orphanage where she had spent her early years.
Determined (adjective): Having a firm decision or intention
Example: He is determined to uncover the truth about his past.
Emotional (adjective): Relating to feelings
Example: The reunion was an emotional experience for both parties.
Investigation (noun): A formal inquiry to discover facts
Example: The investigation revealed discrepancies in the adoption process.
Abandoned (verb): Left behind or deserted
Example: The mother abandoned the child at a young age.
Documentation (noun): Official papers providing evidence
Example: She searched through old documentation to find clues about her birth.
Frustration (noun): The Feeling of being upset due to inability to change or achieve something
Example: He felt frustration over the lack of information about his origins.

Discussion Questions (About the Article)

What challenges do South Korean adoptees face when searching for their birth families?
How have some adoptees found comfort even without locating their biological relatives?
What issues have arisen during the government’s investigation into adoption practices?
Why is accurate documentation important in the adoption process?
How can governments support adoptees in their search for identity?

Discussion Questions (About the Topic)

Do you believe international adoption processes should have more oversight? Why or why not?
How can societies support individuals seeking information about their origins?
What role do emotions play in the search for one’s identity?
Should there be legal consequences for agencies that falsify adoption records?
How can technology assist adoptees in connecting with their birth families?

Related Idiom

“Skeletons in the closet”
Meaning: Secrets from someone’s past that they prefer to keep hidden
Example: The investigation revealed several skeletons in the closet regarding the adoption agency’s practices.

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📰 This article was inspired by AP News, October 4, 2024.