Selected Photography

“Who am I, then?”

Photo essay for AP + Frontline story on Korean adoptees who later found their documents and stories of origins were false.

Story: They’re among what’s thought to be the world’s largest diaspora of adoptees. As these Korean adoptees search for their roots, some are finding what they knew about their past isn’t true.

Western governments ignored widespread fraud in South Korean adoptions and sometimes pressured the country to keep the kids coming, an investigation led by The Associated Press has found. Many Korean children adopted overseas have realized their adoption paperwork was untrue, and their quest for accountability has spread to Western countries. Documents show that diplomats processed papers like an assembly line, despite evidence that agencies were bribing mothers and paying hospitals. The consequences are upending the global adoption industry. Some European countries have shut down adoptions, and the U.S. State Department said questions from AP prompted it try to piece together its history from archives. AP talked to more than 80 adoptees, in collaboration with Frontline (PBS).

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Mia Lee Sørensen, a Danish adoptee from Korea, poses for a portrait on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, in Ringsted, Denmark. (AP Photo/Nat Castañeda)

Mia Lee Sørensen, a Danish adoptee from Korea, washes dishes in her kitchen, Tuesday, May 28, 2024, in Ringsted, Denmark. (AP Photo/Nat Castañeda)

Mia Lee Sørensen, a Danish adoptee from Korea, at her home, Tuesday, May 28, 2024, in Ringsted, Denmark. (AP Photo/Nat Castañeda)

Mia Lee Sørensen, a Danish adoptee from Korea, holds a photo of herself as a baby, Tuesday, May 28, 2024, in Ringsted, Denmark. (AP Photo/Nat Castañeda)

Mia Lee Sørensen, a Danish adoptee from Korea, looks through her baby photo album, Tuesday, May 28, 2024, in Ringsted, Denmark. (AP Photo/Nat Castañeda)

The adoption papers of Mia Lee Sørensen, a Danish adoptee from Korea, May 28, 2024, in Ringsted, Denmark. (AP Photo/Nat Castañeda)

A photo from a baby album of Mia Lee Sørensen, a Danish adoptee from Korea, Tuesday, May 28, 2024, in Ringsted, Denmark. The woman holding Mia is her Danish adopted mother. (AP Photo/Nat Castañeda)

Danish-Korean adoptee Anja Pedersen-Scholl poses for a portrait on June 8, 2024, in Copenhagen, Denmark. (AP Photo/Nat Castañeda)

Danish-Korean adoptee Anja Pedersen-Scholl poses for a portrait while holding a IPad displaying a photo of herself as a baby, on June 8, 2024, in Copenhagen, Denmark. (AP Photo/Nat Castañeda)

Danish-Korean adoptee Anja Pedersen-Scholl eats with friends at a Korean food restaurant, June 8, 2024, in Copenhagen, Denmark. (AP Photo/Nat Castañeda)

A sign that says Korean in Danish at Seoul Koreansk B.B.Q, June 8, 2024, in Copenhagen, Denmark. (AP Photo/Nat Castañeda)

Seoul Koreansk B.B.Q. restaurant, June 8, 2024, in Copenhagen, Denmark. (AP Photo/Nat Castañeda)

Friends sit at a bar at Seoul Koreansk B.B.Q. restaurant, June 8, 2024, in Copenhagen, Denmark. (AP Photo/Nat Castañeda)

Danish-Korean adoptee Tona Richter Hansen poses for a portrait in the gardens of Frederiksborg Castle, June 13, 2024, in Hillerød, Denmark. (AP Photo/Nat Castañeda)

A page from Danish-Korean adoptee Tona Richter Hansen’s adoption book made by her mother is shown June 13, 2024, in Hillerød, Denmark. The photo shows Richter Hansen as a baby after she arrived in Denmark. The Danish text says, “Often happy.” (AP Photo/Nat Castañeda)

Danish-Korean adoptee Tona Richter Hansen poses for a portrait while holding a photo of herself as a baby displayed on an IPad in the gardens of Frederiksborg Castle, June 13, 2024, in Hillerød, Denmark. (AP Photo/Nat Castañeda)

The gardens of Frederiksborg Castle, June 13, 2024, in Hillerød, Denmark. (AP Photo/Nat Castañeda)

A heron waits to fish at the gardens of Frederiksborg Castle, June 13, 2024, in Hillerød, Denmark. (AP Photo/Nat Castañeda)

Denmark Tamil Tigers

Photo essay for AP Enterprise series marking the 15th anniversary of the end of the civil war in Sri Lanka.

Story: This series covers the memorial service of slain Tamil Tigers leader Velupillai Prabhakaran. Prabhakaran died in 2009, but in the proceeding years, some have come forward to say Prabhakaran is alive and living abroad, collecting money on his behalf. However, no one has offered proof of life or have contacted his family. His family in Denmark, including Prabhakaran’s brother, Velupillai Manoharan and his nephew, Karthic Manoharan, say they are holding this service to tell the world that Prabhakaran is dead in hopes the money collection and what they say are false and slanderous accounts of their uncle, will stop.

Tamils from across Europe gathered in Denmark to remember Prabhakaran 15 years after the end of Sri Lanka's civil war, which pitted Sri Lankan government forces against Tamil Tiger separatists.

The Danish family of Velupillai Prabhakaran, founder of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), also known as the Tamil Tigers, attend a memorial service at the DGI Huset Conference Center in Vejle, Denmark, May 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Nat Castañeda)

Members of the Tamil diaspora arrive for a memorial service honoring Velupillai Prabhakaran, founder of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), also called Tamil Tigers, at the DGI Huset Conference Center in Vejle, Denmark, May 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Nat Castañeda)

Members of the Tamil diaspora prepare a portrait of Velupillai Prabhakaran, founder of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), also called Tamil Tigers, for a memorial service at the DGI Huset Conference Center in Vejle, Denmark, May 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Nat Castañeda)

Members of the Tamil diaspora, including his nephew, Karthic Manoharan, left, prepare a portrait of Velupillai Prabhakaran, founder of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), also called Tamil Tigers, for a memorial service at the DGI Huset Conference Center in Vejle, Denmark, May 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Nat Castañeda)

Members of the Tamil diaspora attend a memorial service for Velupillai Prabhakaran, founder of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), also called Tamil Tigers, at the DGI Huset Conference Center in Vejle, Denmark, May 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Nat Castañeda)

Flowers are shown at a memorial service for Velupillai Prabhakaran, founder of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), also called Tamil Tigers, at the DGI Huset Conference Center in Vejle, Denmark, May 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Nat Castañeda)

Veluppillai Manoharan, left, the brother of Velupillai Prabhakaran, founder of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), also called Tamil Tigers, pays tribute to his brother at a memorial service at the DGI Huset Conference Center in Vejle, Denmark, May 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Nat Castañeda)

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A portrait of Velupillai Prabhakaran, founder of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), also called Tamil Tigers, and his family is displayed at a memorial service held in his honor at the DGI Huset Conference Center in Vejle, Denmark, May 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Nat Castañeda)

Flowers petals are shown at a memorial service for Velupillai Prabhakaran, founder of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), also called Tamil Tigers, at the DGI Huset Conference Center in Vejle, Denmark, May 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Nat Castañeda)

Participants of a karate class on break walk the halls of the DGI Huset Conference Center, as members of the Tamil diaspora attend a memorial service for Velupillai Prabhakaran, founder of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), also called Tamil Tigers, Vejle, Denmark, May 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Nat Castañeda)

Members of the Tamil diaspora pass out posters of Velupillai Prabhakaran, founder of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), also called Tamil Tigers, at a memorial service in his honor at the DGI Huset Conference Center in Vejle, Denmark, May 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Nat Castañeda)

The halls of the DGI Huset Conference Center are shown, as members of the Tamil diaspora take a break at a memorial service for Velupillai Prabhakaran, founder of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), also called Tamil Tigers, Vejle, Denmark, May 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Nat Castañeda)

Members of the Tamil diaspora leave a memorial service for Velupillai Prabhakaran, founder of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), also called Tamil Tigers, at the DGI Huset Conference Center in Vejle, Denmark, May 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Nat Castañeda)

The DGI Huset Conference Center is shown, as members of the Tamil diaspora attend a memorial service for Velupillai Prabhakaran, founder of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), also called Tamil Tigers, Vejle, Denmark, May 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Nat Castañeda)

Flyers are shown on the street near the DGI Huset Conference Center, as members of the Tamil diaspora attend a memorial service for Velupillai Prabhakaran, founder of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), also called Tamil Tigers, Vejle, Denmark, May 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Nat Castañeda)

Westminster Dog Show

Photos for a series in support of, ‘The Dog Walkers’, a behind the scenes look at the work of Ben and Ginger Walker, as they report for the 19th year at the Westminster Dog Show. Ben is a veteran AP sports reporter and his wife Ginger works on Broadway but was recruited by Ben nearly two decades ago to help cover the dog show. This series includes behind the scenes photos and general photos of the show.

Backstage at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, 2019, New York City. (AP Photo/Nat Castañeda)

Outside of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, 2019, New York City. (AP Photo/Nat Castañeda)

The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, 2019, New York City. (AP Photo/Nat Castañeda)

A dog looks at a woman working on her laptop at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Nat Castaneda)

A woman and her dog pose for a portrait backstage at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, 2019, New York City. (AP Photo/Nat Castañeda)

Fame the Whippet stands ringside before competing at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, Monday, Feb. 11, 2019, in New York City. (AP Photo/Nat Castaneda)

AP journalists Maye-E Wong, left, and Peter Hamlin pose for a portrait at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, 2019, New York City. (AP Photo/Nat Castañeda)

Laura Esner poses in front of a poster to promote the meet the breeds companion event to the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Nat Castaneda)

AP journalist Jenn Peltz works at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, 2019, New York City. (AP Photo/Nat Castañeda)

AP journalists Ben Walker, center, and Peter Hamlin, right, and Ben's wife, Ginger Walker, exit the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, 2019, New York City. (AP Photo/Nat Castañeda)

Boxer Orlando Cruz, boxing's first openly gay fighter

Photos for a series on Orlando Cruz, a Puerto Rican boxer, who in 2012, became the first professional boxer to come out as openly gay while competing. “I want to quieten the homophobic people talking bad to the LGBT community,” Cruz told The Associated Press. “I want it more for all the gay athletes in the world.” Initially, Cruz had reservations about making the announcement, considering the macho nature of his sport, but it turned out to be a good decision.

Boxer Orlando Cruz, second from left, is shown at an open workout at Mendez Boxing Gym, Sept. 24, 2013, New York. (AP Photo/Nat Castañeda)

Boxer Orlando Cruz, center, is shown at an open workout at Mendez Boxing Gym, Sept. 24, 2013, New York. (AP Photo/Nat Castañeda)

Boxer Orlando Cruz, right, is shown at an open workout at Mendez Boxing Gym, Sept. 24, 2013, New York. (AP Photo/Nat Castañeda)

Boxer Orlando Cruz, is shown at an open workout at Mendez Boxing Gym, Sept. 24, 2013, New York. (AP Photo/Nat Castañeda)

A cutout of Mexican boxing legend Salvador Sañchez is shown at an open workout at Mendez Boxing Gym for Boxer Orlando Cruz, Sept. 24, 2013, New York. (AP Photo/Nat Castañeda)

The gloves of boxer Orlando Cruz, are shown at an open workout at Mendez Boxing Gym, Sept. 24, 2013, New York. (AP Photo/Nat Castañeda)

Boxer Orlando Cruz, is shown on a video camera screen while being interviewed at an open workout at Mendez Boxing Gym, Sept. 24, 2013, New York. (AP Photo/Nat Castañeda)

Boxer Orlando Cruz, is shown while being interviewed by media at an open workout at Mendez Boxing Gym, Sept. 24, 2013, New York. (AP Photo/Nat Castañeda)

The Armory Show

Photos for a series on the The Armory Show, an international art fair, in New York City. The Armory Show is an annual event which attracts tens of thousands of spectators to view contemporary and modern art.

Attendees of the 2014 Armory Show are shown during the press preview, March 5, 2014, New York, NY. (AP Photo/Nat Castañeda)

An attendee of the 2014 Armory Show is shown through a sculpture during the press preview, March 5, 2014, New York, NY. (AP Photo/Nat Castañeda)

Gallerists of the 2014 Armory Show are shown during the press preview, March 5, 2014, New York, NY. (AP Photo/Nat Castañeda)

An attendee of the 2014 Armory Show is shown during the press preview, March 5, 2014, New York, NY. (AP Photo/Nat Castañeda)

A worker of the 2014 Armory Show is shown during the press preview, March 5, 2014, New York, NY. (AP Photo/Nat Castañeda)

The actor Neil Patrick Harris is shown at the 2014 Armory Show, March 5, 2014, New York, NY. (AP Photo/Nat Castañeda)

The 2014 Armory Show during the press preview, March 5, 2014, New York, NY. (AP Photo/Nat Castañeda)

Michael Bloomberg the 2014 Armory Show is shown during the press preview, March 5, 2014, New York, NY. (AP Photo/Nat Castañeda)