
Consider This from NPR
South Korea admits to widespread adoption fraud. Here's one story
Mar 31, 2025
Documentarian Deann Borshay Liem shares her poignant journey as a Korean adoptee, revealing how she uncovered the truth behind her adoption. She reacts to a recent South Korean report exposing widespread adoption fraud and malpractice that impacted tens of thousands of children. Liem discusses the emotional turmoil of discovering her birth mother was alive and the complexities of identity for adoptees. Her insights reflect a powerful call for justice and truth in adoption practices, emphasizing the need for reconciliation and better access to records.
09:52
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Quick takeaways
- Deann Borshay Liem's shocking discovery of her true identity highlights the profound impact of fraudulent adoption practices on individuals.
- The findings of South Korea's Truth and Reconciliation Commission underscore the urgent need for justice, transparency, and policy reforms in the adoption system.
Deep dives
Discovering Identity Through Memories
Deanne Borchelim experienced unsettling flashbacks of a life that was not what she believed it to be, revealing a profound misidentity stemming from her adoption. Initially thinking these memories were dreams, she uncovered that they were glimpses of her true past as a girl named Kang Ok-jin in South Korea. This self-discovery was only catalyzed when she found her adoption records, which included photos leading to the shocking realization that she had been switched with another child. Such a discovery not only challenged her understanding of her identity but also emphasized the need for clarity and acknowledgment of the histories of many Korean adoptees who have faced similar situations.
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