European court condemns Greece for illegal deportation of Turkish woman

In a significant ruling, a South Korean court found no liability against the government and Holt Children's Services in the case of Adam Crapser, who was deported from the United States to South Korea in 2016. Crapser, a 49-year-old Korean adoptee, faced severe abuses and neglect throughout his childhood due to his adoptive families' failure to secure his U.S. citizenship. This decision by the Seoul High Court overturned a previous ruling from 2023 that required Holt to pay damages to Crapser. The court did recognize crack in the oversight of citizenship, affirming the need for improved regulations to protect adoptees. Crapser's adoption took place in 1979 when he was sent to Michigan at the age of three. Following his adoptive parents’ negligence in filing the necessary citizenship papers, he fell into a troubling cycle of legal issues, resulting in his deportation. His lawsuit accused Holt of misrepresenting his status as an orphan and not conducting adequate background checks on his adoptive families. The case sheds light on legislative failures and the need for accountability concerning international adoption processes in South Korea. The ruling is significant in the broader context of international adoption policies established by South Korea in the latter half of the 20th century. The government and Holt relied on a 1970s adoption law that streamlined agency procedures by reducing their obligations to verify the citizenship of adopted children. This law, enacted under a military dictatorship, has faced heavy criticism for enabling neglect and fraudulent practices during an era when South Korea saw a massive surge in international adoptions. Between the 1960s and 1980s, thousands of South Korean children were adopted internationally, often without proper governmental oversight. As the adoption scandal unfolds, the South Korean government faces mounting pressure to address accusations related to fraudulent practices and the well-being of adoptees. Various lawsuits targeting the government and Holt are emerging, prompting discussions on reforming the adoption processes to ensure accountability and transparency. The court's ruling raises questions about the state’s role in protecting vulnerable children and emphasizes providing proper support for all adoptees. Authorities are now under scrutiny as advocates demand reforms to prevent future cases like Adam Crapser's from occurring.