Dear editor:
The article on page 3 of your Jan. 12-13 newspaper about a seven-month-old Korean-born baby adopted by U.S. parents is unclear, puzzling and lacking in certain important details. In the best interest of the child, I believe your readers deserve to hear the whole story.
My question to all those involved in overseas adoption is first and foremost "What about the baby?" Shouldn't the main and overarching focus be on his/her rights? Who should speak for that baby? Also, I find it very strange that there is no reference at all to the desires/rights of the birth mother in this article; certainly neither the U.S. Department of Homeland Security nor the Korean government should be allowed to speak for her. Wouldn't the birth mother have a major say in any determination about her child's future? Or is it possible that she or the little baby might be being used for some other purpose in this complex matter?
Also there should be a fuller explanation of what is "illegal?" and where? Has any contact been made for consultation with adoption agencies in Korea regarding this situation, which might have a future impact on other cases? If any lawyers were involved (in Korea or in the U.S.) who were they and what was their advice?
Furthermore, if that baby, who has lived thus far almost its entire life with the American family, were sent back to Korea, to whom would the baby go legally? Perhaps the birth-mother's family is unaware that she even gave birth (whatever the circumstances might have been). Or, perhaps she carefully considered the future for both of them and decided that giving up her baby was in that baby's best interest. Isn't it very possible that she wanted the adoptive parents to provide a good life for her child, which she might not have been able to do herself?
It is interesting that the article uses the word "home" several times but with no clear definition of where or what is that baby's "home." In any such case, decision-makers should very carefully consider what really constitutes home for the tiny little being in question and do their best to facilitate its best possible future, not to hinder it.
If the baby were returned to Korea, I wonder what that baby's future in Korea would be. Who would raise and love and care for the baby? This is my overarching concern. I fervently hope and pray that not only your newspaper, but also those who are choosing the future for this one little life will carefully consider their decision. I hope that they realize the life-long impact their determinations will have, both on the baby and the birth-mother, as well as on those parents who have cared for the child during his/her entire life (with the exception of the first 19 days).
Thank you for your important role in bringing this issue to the concern of your readers.
Sonia Reid Strawn
Seoul