South Korean Mother Sues Over Daughter's 1976 Adoption Following Kidnapping

Han Tae-soon seeks accountability from the South Korean government and adoption agency for her daughter's wrongful adoption to the U.S..

Han Tae-soon, a 70-year-old South Korean mother, is suing the government, an adoption agency, and an orphanage for the wrongful adoption of her daughter, Laurie Bender, who was sent to the U.S. in 1976 after being kidnapped.
The lawsuit highlights the controversial practices and falsified paperwork that marred South Korea's international adoption program during the 1970s and 80s.
Han accuses Holt Children’s Services of facilitating the adoption without verifying Bender’s background, while the Jechon Children’s Home allegedly failed to search for Bender’s parents.
Laurie Bender, initially reported missing by Han, was found in 2019 through DNA testing, marking the end of a 44-year search.
The case follows a precedent set by Adam Crapser, the first Korean adoptee to sue for mishandling of his adoption, which resulted in a partial damages award against Holt.