Adam Crapser, a Korean adoptee who was deported from the US to South Korea in 2016 due to a lack of American citizenship, has spoken out against the Korean government and his adoption agency regarding the issue. In a Seoul appeals court, Crapser criticised both entities for failing to secure his citizenship, which has led to a complex legal battle.
Crapser, who was adopted by an American family in 1979, has become the first Korean adoptee to sue the Korean government and Holt Children’s Services for damages in 2019. His case sheds light on the ongoing struggles faced by thousands of Korean children adopted by US families over the years. Recently, a Korean birth mother also sued the government and Holt for their roles in her daughter’s adoption to the US in 1976.
The lawsuits and investigations into adoption practices have brought attention to the fraudulent activities within Korea’s historic adoption program. Crapser has accused Holt and the Korean government of negligence, leading to his traumatic upbringing in the US. Despite facing challenges and legal troubles that resulted in his deportation, he emphasised the lack of choice he had in his own upbringing and the impact on his family life.
During the court proceedings, Crapser expressed his struggles with adapting to life in Korea, where he feels disconnected from his American roots and separated from his children. He underscored the importance of his American identity and the difficulties he faces in a country where he does not speak the language or understand the culture.
Crapser’s lawyer is seeking significant damages on his behalf, citing the adoption as a form of illegal trafficking and holding the Korean government and Holt accountable for their actions. The court is expected to make a decision on the case in January. Despite a previous ruling that awarded damages to Crapser, the legal battle continues as Holt denies responsibility for his lack of citizenship.
The complex nature of international adoptions and the impact on adoptees’ lives highlight the need for better safeguards and protections in the adoption process. The case of Adam Crapser serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by transnational adoptees and the responsibility of governments and agencies to ensure their well-being and rights are protected.