Korean Adoptee Finds Mother After Decade

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Posted at: 11/24/2008 12:26:28 PM
By: Michelle Knoll
Minn. Korean adoptee finds birth mother after decade

More on Jon Huston's story

Susanna Song's Blog:
Why is Minnesota a hot bed for Korean Adoptees?

Searching for birth mom

Follow an adopted Korean trying to find his birth mom

Minnesota is home to thousands of Korean adoptees. 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS
followed one them, Jon Huston, on his amazing journey to find his
birth mother.
Huston and his wife, Carrie, live in Buffalo, Minnesota where they
both grew up. But that is not where his life story began.

Huston's biological father was an American soldier who met his
biological mother in Korea. His father later died in the Vietnam War.
His mother was too poor to raise him. 37-years ago, when Jon was 6-
years-old, she decided to give her only child up for adoption.

"It had to have been the hardest decision she had to ever make," said
Huston.

He was adopted in 1971 by a Minnesota family. The state has since
become home to 13,000 Korean adoptees. That is the most in any one
place in the world.

"Minnesotans are very accepting," said social worker Hyun Sook Han.
She said she placed many of those children here because Minnesota is
one of the most progressive states for adoptions.

Despite that, Huston said he felt like an outcast in Minnesota. He
said kids made fun of his eyes and dark hair. It all changed for him
in fourth grade.

"A fourth grade teacher who probably was the best teacher for me. He
helped me fit in. He really helped me deal with it and supported me,"
said Huston.

From that point on he began making friends. He was even on the
homecoming court in high school. He met and married his wife. His
life
seemed complete until he held his daughter for the first time after
her birth 11 years ago.

"For a mom to give up a child, it's probably the most love they could
absolutely do," said Huston.

Huston spent ten years unsuccessfully looking for his birth mother,
until he went on a popular Korean TV show. It is a reality show where
Korean adoptees share their stories in hopes their birth parents may
be watching. He appeared via webcam from his home in Buffalo.

"I needed to this for her sake, ease her mind. I didn't want her to
go
to her grave thinking of her son," said Huston.

Seven days after Huston appeared on the show, his birth mother was
found.

"I didn't sleep that night after they confirmed 100-percent this was
her. I was so emotional I cried," said Huston.

On October 14, Huston went back on the show via webcam to see his
birth mother for the first time in 37 years. It was also the first
time he had heard his Korean name since she gave him up.

"Hong Soo, I miss you and I want to see you. I'm sorry Hong Soo," she
said.

"Here she was on Korean TV with baby pictures of me. I told my wife I
had baby pictures," said Huston.

Huston's birth mother told him she looked at those pictures everyday.

"She lived by herself and that was hard for me to hear that," said
Huston. Their time on the show together was brief, but very
fulfilling.

"I feel a piece of my puzzle is finally together," said Huston.

Huston was separated from his birth mother on Dec. 30, 1971. They
will
reunited in person on Dec. 30, 2008.