"My Name Is Oh Seongmin, Missing Since 1978 in Noryangjin" Korean American Adoptee in the US Searching for Birth Mother

Mr. Oh Seong-min at the time of adoption in 1979. Photo provided by the Child Rights Protection Agency Adoption Support Center

[Asia Economy Reporter Seoyoung Kwon] A man who was adopted to the United States in 1979 expressed his desire to find his birth mother "to avoid regrets when the opportunity comes."

According to a story sent today (the 25th) by Korean American adoptee Christopher Podleski (48) to the Adoption Support Center of the Child Rights Protection Agency, he was found wandering the streets in Noryangjin, Seoul, on March 15, 1978, when he was five years old. He was later handed over to the Noryangjin Police Station and, with the help of the adoption agency Dongbang Social Welfare Society, was adopted to the United States in June of the following year.

According to Podleski’s adoption records, his birth date is September 10, 1973, and his name is 'Oh Seongmin.' However, he explained that his memories from that time are vague, so he is not sure if the name and birth date are accurate. Podleski described the situation at the time: "I followed a delicious smell. I got lost in a place where people and vehicles were coming and going, and I wandered trying to find my way home by bus."

Later, someone took him to the police station, and he stayed in a temporary shelter for three months. However, since no guardian was identified, he was placed under the care of Seongrowon. Afterward, he moved to the United States, received a proper education under his adoptive parents, graduated from college, became an electronics engineer, worked at a mid-sized company, got married, and is now living as a father of two children.

Podleski confessed, "I always thought that my mother might be somewhere hurting like me." He then expressed his feelings, saying that once COVID-19 eases, he hopes to visit Korea for an extended stay to find his mother and learn about his family.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.