Updated: 11/26/2008 12:46 PM KSTP.com | Print Story
By: Susanna Song

SONG: Why is Minnesota a hot bed for Korean Adoptees?

DID YOU KNOW? - Minnesota has the most Korean adoptees in the world - There are more than 13,000 Korean adoptees in Minnesota - There are more than 130,000 Korean adoptees in the U.S. - Worldwide: 200,000

I received several dozen emails this morning, from viewers reacting to Jon Huston's story, which aired at 10 p.m. last night.  Wow, I am so amazed by how honest people were with me, sharing personal stories of their adoptions and just how touched they were by Jon's perseverence.

A lot of people wanted to know more about why Minnesota has attracted so many Korean Adoptees.  In the story I introduced you to a retired social worker, Hyun Sook Han, who brought 95% of the korean adoptees to Minnesota.  She worked for Children's Home and Family Services and fostered a relationship b/w adoption agencies in Korea and in Minnesota.  You can watch her on this video clip.  She also has a book out called, "Many Lives Intertwined." Definitely worth reading.

Also, in my previous post, I emphasized NOPAK, the MN non profit that helped Jon in his search.  I've gotten quite a few emails about the group.  Contact the group if you have questions about the KBS reality TV show. 

I was in Korea last month and visited the station.  It's in fact the largest TV network in Korea and it broadcasts adoption stories on a weekly basis.  If you feel stuck in your search, it may be something you'd like to consider.  I had coffee with the show creator/producer.  The show has done a lot of affective work; most importantly, trying to fight the social stigma that still plagues many Korean women.  There's so much shame surrounding women who have a child out of wedlock or shares a child with a non-Korean man.  As I reported this morning, there was a lot of prejudice in Korea in the late 60's, early 70's against racially mixed children and their mothers.  According to Han, it was hard for them to survive in that type of social culture.  She says at that time, "it was 100%... the best thing (adoption) for the mother to do."

Keep visiting my blog for updates on when Jon and his mother's reunion will air on 5 Eyewitness News.  It will be sometime in January.

** Last but not least... I want to thank NOPAK for giving me the story idea, the KBS photographer and staff for VOLUNTEERING their time to help KSTP with this story, my parents for driving me all over Seoul and... of courese photographers Jim O'Connell and Jason Hanson for doing a wonderful job shooting and editing the piece.  They're wonderful.

Children's Home Society & Family Services, www.chsfs.org.

Susanna Song - Reporter READ ALL OF SUSANNA'S BLOGS EMAIL SUSANNA READ BIO If you want to share your adoption stories, click here to email Susanna.