A 72-year-old South Korean mother, Choi Young-ja, is suing the government and Holt Children's Services for the illegal adoption of her son to Norway in 1975. Her son was three when he disappeared, and she searched for him for nearly five decades before reuniting with him in 2023. The lawsuit, seeking $403,000, alleges systematic failures and manipulation within South Korea's large foreign adoption program, mirroring similar claims from other birth parents. This case highlights ongoing pressure on the South Korean government to address widespread fraud and abuse within its historical adoption practices, as revealed by a recent Truth and Reconciliation Commission report.

Prepared by Rachel Morgan and reviewed by editorial team.