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Korean Adoptees Seek Answers: Unraveling the Mysteries of Their Past

Hey there! If you’re curious about the journey of Korean adoptees in search of their roots, you’re in for a compelling story filled with emotions, questions, and discoveries. Recently, an investigation by The Associated Press and Frontline (PBS) has brought to light the murky waters of South Korea’s foreign adoption program from the ’70s and ’80s. This has led dozens of adoptees to question their origins and the authenticity of their adoption stories.

Kyla Postrel: The Conflicting Stories

Imagine having two different stories about your past, and neither feels quite right. That’s Kyla Postrel’s reality. After finding a half-brother through DNA testing, she was left more confused about her past. Despite the uncertainty, Kyla emphasizes the importance of focusing on the life adoptees have built for themselves, rather than feeling like their entire existence is a lie.

Cody Duet: The Quest for Identity

Cody Duet’s search for his origins started with a single, sparsely detailed page about his past. The sense of abandonment and the anger at not knowing his true history drove him into a dark place. But now, Cody is determined to find his birth mother and show her the person he has become. His journey highlights the systemic issues in adoption records, often portraying children as abandoned even when they had known relatives.

Amy McFadden: A Shock to the System

For Amy McFadden, the revelation that her story might be part of a larger issue was shocking. She always believed the story of being abandoned as a baby. Learning about mothers in South Korea actively searching for their children has prompted her to consider DNA testing in hopes of connecting with her roots.

Callie Chamberlain: A Bittersweet Reunion

Callie’s journey led to a reunion with her birth family, but it wasn’t the fairy tale ending one might expect. The emotional rollercoaster of discovering her real birth story brought feelings of survivor’s guilt and existential grief. Her story sheds light on the concept of “han,” a deep-seated sorrow felt by many Koreans.

If you’re a Korean adoptee looking to uncover your past, there are several paths to explore. Start by contacting your adoption agency for any available records. If that leads nowhere, the South Korean government’s National Center for the Rights of the Child might offer assistance. DNA testing has become an increasingly popular tool for reconnecting with birth families. Plus, joining adoptee and volunteer groups can provide support and guidance. Remember, you’re not alone in this journey, and there are communities out there ready to lend a helping hand.

Did This Happen to Me? Exploring the Past of Korean Adoptees

SEOUL: Imagine living your entire life believing in a story about your beginnings, only to find out that it might not be true. That’s the reality for many South Korean adoptees, who have recently been moved to tears by an investigation led by The Associated Press, documented by Frontline (PBS). This investigation has unveiled dubious child-gathering practices and fraudulent paperwork within South Korea’s foreign adoption program, which saw its peak during the 1970s and ’80s due to overwhelming Western demands for children.

What Stories Do Adoptees Have to Share?

The stories coming from adoptees are both heart-wrenching and enlightening. Many adoptees who responded shared their personal experiences and challenges in uncovering their true histories. Let’s take a closer look at some of these poignant narratives.

Kyla Postrel: Can You Trust Adoption Paperwork?

Kyla Postrel is caught between two tales. Her adoption paperwork tells conflicting stories, and she’s unsure which, if any, is true. After a DNA test last year, she discovered a half-brother also adopted to the West. The discrepancies in their paperwork made her question everything even more. Despite her skepticism, Kyla hesitates to dig deeper, fearing the truth might be devastating. Yet, she encourages other adoptees not to feel disheartened if they can’t uncover their past. “Life is what you build,” she says, emphasizing that the life she’s built is what truly matters. If her birth mother is out there, Kyla wants her to know that her daughter has led a good life.

Cody Duet: How Do You Cope When There’s Not Enough Information?

Cody Duet, adopted to rural Louisiana in 1986, requested his file a decade ago, only to receive less than a page of information. It was a frustrating moment, leaving him feeling abandoned and unloved. The AP investigation revealed that many children were wrongfully listed as abandoned, despite having known relatives. Now, Cody is ready to resume his search, hoping to find his mother and show her the man he’s become.

Amy McFadden: What Happens When You Doubt Your Origins?

Amy McFadden always believed she was abandoned as a baby, as told by her adoption agency. Her life in the United States has been fulfilling, and she never questioned her roots until the recent revelations. Learning that South Korean mothers have searched for their lost children for decades left her shocked and nauseous. Now, she plans to submit her DNA in search of her biological family, hoping to uncover the truth.

Callie Chamberlain: Is a Happy Ending Guaranteed?

For Callie Chamberlain, the journey to connect with her birth parents was fraught with uncertainty. Her documents told conflicting stories about her parentage. Yet, DNA testing revealed her parents were married, contradicting both narratives. Reuniting with her birth family was bittersweet, filled with grief and joy. It’s a reminder that reunions don’t always provide closure. Callie has learned about “han,” a Korean concept of deep, ancestral sorrow. It’s a shared experience among adoptees and their families, reflecting the historical division of Korea.

How Can Adoptees Discover Their Past?

Many adoptees are now on a quest to find their truth. Here are some steps they can take to uncover their origins and possibly reunite with their birth families.

Do Birth Family Searches?

Adoptees can start by requesting information from their adoption agencies. If that doesn’t yield results, the South Korean government’s National Center for the Rights of the Child (NCRC) can be their next step. However, the process can be lengthy and often unsuccessful due to inaccurate records. Since 2012, less than a fifth of the 15,000 adoptees seeking help have reunited with relatives. This is partly due to the practice of falsely labeling children as abandoned. The consent process for reunions is also criticized; only traditional mail can be used to contact birth parents, and privacy laws restrict access to phone numbers.

Why Take a DNA Test?

DNA testing has become a popular method for adoptees to reconnect with their birth families. Adoptees can register their DNA with South Korean embassies or consulates, or with local police stations when visiting South Korea. It’s worth noting that DNA testing isn’t common in South Korea, and success often depends on whether birth families are actively searching for the adoptee. Organizations like 325 Kamra assist in these reunions by allowing adoptees to upload their commercial DNA test results to a database.

Should You Join Adoptee and Volunteer Groups?

Adoptees can find support and share experiences through various online groups. Facebook pages, such as those run by Banet, connect adoptees with resources for birth family searches and provide translation assistance. Websites like Paperslip cater to adoptees from specific agencies, offering support with document requests and family searches. The Global Overseas Adoptees’ Link and KoRoot are Seoul-based groups that facilitate family searches and offer cultural events, language education, and advocacy programs.

What Lies Ahead for Korean Adoptees?

The journey to find one’s roots is uniquely personal and often fraught with challenges. As more adoptees come forward, sharing their stories and seeking the truth, the hope is that systemic changes will follow. The revelations have prompted renewed calls for transparency and reform in international adoption practices. For those searching, the path may be long and winding, but the potential for connection and understanding makes it a journey worth taking. As adoptees continue to navigate their complex identities, organizations and individuals alike must support their pursuit of truth and reconciliation.