[KS] Korean Overseas Adoptees -Blood & Water?

[Frank M. Tedesco]

>      07-06-98 : Overseas Korean Adoptees Help Address Issues
>      of National Identity
> 
>      By John Sullivan Staff reporter
> 
>      Korean emphasis on the concept of family and blood has helped
>      them survive centuries of invasions, colonializations, and war.
>      But in recent years, it has become incongruent with the realities
>      of an ever globalizing world. And now, one minority of Koreans
>      starting to gain a voice in Korea may help the nation face up to
>      its contradictions.
> 
>      ``If Koreans believe blood is thicker than water, then my life is
>      proof that love is thicker than blood,'' says Holly McGinnis, an
>      adopted Korean-American who started O.A.A (Overseas American
>      Adoptees), a support group for adoptees and their parents. Like
>      many other overseas Korean adoptees, Holly's adoption experience
>      has been positive, and has developed her into a healthy,
>      productive individual with a unique identity.
> 
>      But for Koreans who still believe in the concept of blood and
>      lineage, Holly's experience represents a fundamental conflict
>      with their perceptions of national identity.
> 
>      According to traditional Korean beliefs, identity is based on
>      primogeniture, passing all family and national identity to the
>      first born son. Children whose parents abandon them are thus
>      deprived of an identity and became social outcasts. This concept
>      of blood lineage remained strong as Korea continued to struggle
>      against colonialization, poverty and war.
> 
>      Koreans still see overseas adoptees as children they had
>      abandoned, not as adults who have developed their own
>      philosophies about life and family.
> 
>      Up to now, Koreans, believing that family and blood is the source
>      of their national identity, have been unwilling to listen to
>      positive views of overseas adoptions. Korea's media have focused
>      primarily on stories of difficulties adoptees faced while living
>      with their adoptive families.
> 
>      But the same motive which forced Korea to adopt a strict concept
>      of national identity is now forcing the country to reevaluate
>      itself. Korea's Confucian concept of blood lineage is obstructing
>      its survival in the global economy.
> 
>      As an industrialized nation, Korea has become dependant on
>      advanced nations for technology while competing with them for
>      foreign markets. But strict adherence to old concepts of family
>      and geneology prevent the development of individual talent and
>      initiative and limits Koreans from venturing outside of their own
>      experience. It has also created social evils such as the
>      imbalance of power and wealth in families or groups which have
>      excluded the rest of society.
> 
>      Professor Lee Kwang-kyu, Anthropology professor at Seoul National
>      University, says that in order to reevaluate Korea's national
>      identity, Koreans must first respect the individual differences
>      that already exist. That means respecting and understanding the
>      needs of 55,000 Koreans who have gone abroad, 10,000 of which
>      consist of overseas adoptees.
> 
>      By coopting these groups, Professor Lee believes Koreans may gain
>      an idea of how to redefine themselves to fit into the
>      international community.
> 
>      ``Overseas Koreans are our national treasure,'' Professor Lee
>      says. ``We need to understand them, and figure out how to utilize
>      them in our international development.'' In particular, Professor
>      Lee believes that Korean adoptees like Holly McGinnis, can shed a
>      new light on Korean concepts of blood, family, and personal
>      identity.
> 
>      Professor Lee is also a member of the Foreign Adoptee Policy
>      committee, which is committed to giving these adoptees a voice in
>      Korea. Headed by National Assemblyman Lee Sang-mok, the panel is
>      giving support to overseas Korean adoptee organizations in Korea
>      such as G.O.A'L (Global Overseas Adoptee's Link), which just got
>      its start a few months ago. By helping groups like overseas
>      adoptees, Assemblyman Lee hopes to make Koreans aware of other
>      people besides themselves.
> 
>      ``Koreans don't have an interest in helping eachother,'' he says.
>      The emphasis on family first at all cost, has made Korean society
>      disinterested in the welfare of the community. Lee argues that
>      Korea needs to work towards social, as well as economic
>      development. People like Holly McGinnis can help Koreans to see
>      that he believes.
> 
>      ``My adoption is my inspiration,'' Holly says, ``I am a daughter
>      of two worlds: Korea gave me life, and America showed me how to
>      live it.''
> 
>      Holly believes international adoption is a positive experience
>      and should be encouraged.
> 
>      ``Adoption is about opening up one's hearts and minds. It takes a
>      very special commitment to accept a strange child as a daughter
>      or son, and make them a part of a family,'' Holly says.
> 

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