Mother Sues South Korean Government After Reuniting with Daughter Lost for 44 Years

After 44 years apart, Han Tae-soon has found her daughter, Laurie Bender, who was abducted in 1975 and illegally adopted in the U.S. Now, Han is suing the South Korean government for not preventing the ordeal, amid a broader investigation into the country’s controversial overseas adoption practices.

Han Tae-soon has spent over four decades in search of her daughter, Kyung-ha, who was taken from her at a young age in Seoul. Her last vivid memory of Kyung-ha dates back to May 1975 when she left her at home, only to return and find her missing. Years later, Han discovered that her daughter had been abducted and wrongly placed for adoption in the U.S., now identifying as Laurie Bender.

In light of her heartbreaking story, Han has initiated a lawsuit against the South Korean government. She accuses it of neglecting its oversight responsibilities that enabled illegal adoptions through its controversial overseas adoption program, which has faced scrutiny in recent years as more parents have come forward revealing troubling accounts of child trafficking and misconduct.

Since the start of the program in the 1950s, South Korea has sent approximately 170,000 to 200,000 children abroad for adoption, primarily in Western countries. An inquiry conducted in March uncovered that the government had not only shirked its duties but had also committed human rights violations by allowing private adoption agencies to engage in rampant exploitation. This has prompted calls for justice and a wave of legal challenges against the state.

As Han's case approaches court next month, she becomes the first biological parent of an overseas adoptee to seek damages from the government, building upon earlier efforts by adoptees themselves. A government representative expressed sympathy for the pain families have experienced, assuring that Han’s situation would be reviewed earnestly.

Han, now 71, reflects on her relentless pursuit of her daughter, including seeking assistance from various agencies, spending years putting up flyers, and engaging with media to raise awareness of her plight. Remarkably, a breakthrough occurred in 2019, leading to a DNA match with Laurie in California. Their reunion was both joyful and sorrowful; while it marked the closure of a long search, it served as a reminder of the years lost.

Laurie’s recollection of events reveals she was taken by a woman claiming to know her mother, an experience that tore apart both their lives. Following the abduction, she was raised in Virginia under false pretenses. The ongoing investigation into South Korea's adoption practices exposes how children were consigned to a system that often disregarded their rights.

From the government standpoint, recognizing the issue is a pathway towards rectifying the past. Legislative reforms are being enacted to ensure that such incidents do not recur, as public outrage pushes for transparency and accountability in adoption processes. Yet, Han's ongoing struggle to communicate and connect with her daughter serves as a bleak reminder of the persistent psychological scars left by their separation.

In their efforts to rebuild their relationship, language barriers hinder the healing. Han adapts, investing hours into learning English, yet she feels the emotional gap remains unbridged. Ultimately, both mother and daughter confront an irretrievable past, pondering how to forge a future when their shared history is marred by tragedy.