By KIM TONG-HYUNG

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — A 52-year-old woman who was adopted to a French family in 1984 without her biological parents’ consent has filed for compensation from South Korea’s government, citing how authorities at the time fraudulently documented her as an orphan although she had a family.

Related Articles

Ukrainian drone attacks on oil refineries have some Russian regions running on empty

Turkish police seize jewels and antiques worth $30M in raid at Istanbul’s historic Grand Bazaar

Trump administration is investing in US rare earths in a push to break China’s grip

Here’s a look at why it is so hard to end the war in Gaza

US to host talks on post-war Gaza as Israel calls Gaza City evacuation ‘inevitable’

The rare petition filed by Yooree Kim came months after South Korea’s truth commission recognized her and 55 other adoptees as victims of human rights violations, including falsified child origins, lost records and child protection failures.

Her case was highlighted last year in an Associated Press investigation in collaboration with FRONTLINE (PBS). The investigation found that South Korea’s government, Western countries and adoption agencies worked in tandem for decades to supply some 200,000 Korean children to parents overseas through questionable or downright unscrupulous means.

Their stories have triggered a reckoning that has shaken the international adoption industry, which took root in South Korea before spreading worldwide. Under pressure from adoptees, the Seoul government launched a fact-finding investigation, and hundreds submitted their cases for review.

Choi Jung Kyu, Kim’s lawyer, said her administrative claim, filed under a little-used provision of the state compensation act, would be groundbreaking if successful. He said it could set a precedent for others to seek compensation without enduring long, difficult lawsuits against the state that seldom succeed.

Whatever the outcome, it is being watched as a gauge of how the government assesses its responsibility for the dubious practices which marred South Korea’s adoption program, one which peaked in the 1970s and 1980s.

The government faces calls to take responsibility

The government has never acknowledged direct responsibility for past adoption practices and has yet to act on recommendations from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

After a nearly three-year investigation, the commission concluded in March that the state bears responsibility for facilitating an adoption program rife with fraud and abuse, driven by efforts to reduce welfare costs. It urged the government to issue an apology and develop plans to address adoptees’ grievances.

The Justice Ministry technically has four weeks to decide on Kim’s request, but nothing requires it to meet that deadline. Her petition, filed on Aug. 21, does not specify an amount, leaving it to the government to propose an appropriate sum. She also reserves the right to potentially pursue a civil lawsuit against the state, Choi said.

FILE – Truth and Reconciliation Commission Chairperson Park Sun Young, right, comforts adoptee Yooree Kim during a press conference in Seoul, South Korea, March 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon, File)

“How can we ever even start to quantify the damages she endured?” Choi said.

Kim told the AP on Wednesday that her adoption, recognized by the commission as illegal, amounted to “kidnapping and forced disappearance.” South Korea committed the “biggest part of the crime,” she said, because it endorsed “proxy” adoptions to Western parents who never visited South Korea.

It was, she said, “a child sale sponsored by the state.”

Excruciating memories

Kim was 11 when she and her younger brother were sent by Holt Children’s Services, a Korean adoption agency, to a couple in France.

Following a divorce, Kim’s impoverished mother placed the children in an orphanage so at least they could eat, a common practice at the time. She says she never consented to their adoption and only discovered it after returning to the orphanage to find them gone. Kim’s father also said he never knew his children were being put up for adoption and never gave his consent.

Kim recalls being physically, verbally, and sexually abused in her adoptive home, allegations her parents denied. A judge dismissed a complaint she filed against her adoptive father for insufficient evidence.

FILE – Yooree Kim, right, who was 11 when she was adopted from South Korea to a couple in France, hugs her biological mother, who had come to visit her in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, May 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)

Kim first returned to South Korea in 1994 but for years resented her birth parents, believing they were in denial about giving up their children. That changed in 2022 when she confirmed through residential records that she and her brother were still registered under their father and had never been relinquished, a discovery that drove her to seek accountability from governments and adoption agencies in South Korea and France.

Kim’s adoption paperwork contains conflicting stories of how she and her brother were made eligible for adoption.

One said they were relinquished by their paternal great-aunt, whom Kim never recalls meeting. Another document says Kim’s mother agreed to the adoption. A third says the siblings were found “roaming” the streets and were “emotionally hardened” by the experience.

The discrepancies constructed a false chain of guardianship that enabled the adoptions, with the orphanage transferring parental rights it never rightfully possessed to Holt, which then placed the siblings with the French adopters.

Kim’s adoption was clearly unlawful, given the lack of consent from her parents who were easily identifiable, Choi said. None of Kim’s records indicate any effort to contact her parents. Kim’s petition also cites screening failures related to her adoptive parents. Her adoptive father was 50 when he received the siblings, above the age limit of 45 set at the time by South Korean authorities.

Holt has not responded to repeated requests to comment on Kim’s case.

Difficult legal battles

The truth commission confirmed human rights violations in 56 of 367 complaints filed by adoptees before halting its investigation in April, weeks before its investigation deadline. The fate of the remaining 311 cases, either deferred or incompletely reviewed, now hinges on whether lawmakers establish a new truth commission through legislation.

There were clear limitations to the commission’s report, which didn’t thoroughly examine the profit structures of adoption agencies, their links to child sources like hospitals, or receiving countries’ practices. Only 45 of the complaints were from adoptees from the United States, leaving the biggest recipient of Korean children underrepresented.

Some adoptees hope to use the commission’s findings to file lawsuits against their agencies or the Korean government. But others, including Kim, have called for the government to offer specific plans for reparations without forcing adoptees to go to court.

Choi, who represents multiple plaintiffs suing the government over human rights abuses linked to Seoul’s past dictatorships, said they often struggle with prolonged legal battles as the government frequently dismisses truth commission findings as inconclusive or cites expired statutes of limitations.

Even a modest payout from Kim’s petition would carry symbolic weight, acknowledging government responsibility and potentially strengthening future legal claims, he said.

ISTANBUL (AP) — Police in Istanbul have seized jewels and antiques worth an estimated $30 million from businesses in the city’s historic Grand Bazaar during an investigation into smuggled diamonds, Turkish media reported Wednesday.

Related Articles

Here’s a look at why it is so hard to end the war in Gaza

US to host talks on post-war Gaza as Israel calls Gaza City evacuation ‘inevitable’

Denmark summons US envoy over claims of interference in Greenland

Today in History: August 27, Hurricane Irene makes landfall

Boxer Julio César Chávez Jr. released from prison in Mexico, awaiting trial over alleged cartel ties

The operation was launched after 10 suspects were initially detained for smuggling gems into Turkey, broadcaster CNN Turk and other outlets reported.

Acting on orders from the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, police raided 23 businesses in the 15th-century covered marketplace, arresting a further 40 people.

Police confiscated some 135 pieces of jewelry, 1,132 ingots of precious metals and 267 historical artifacts with a value of 1.25 billion Turkish liras ($30.5 million), according to reports. Firearms and digital material were also seized.

The Grand Bazaar is one of the world’s most visited tourist sites and hosts thousands of small shops. It was established by Sultan Mehmet II shortly after he conquered the city from the Byzantine Empire.

Frequently described by tour guides as the world’s first shopping mall, the Grand Bazaar is no stranger to the attentions of law enforcement. In April, investigators raided a company dealing in foreign currency and precious metals over money-laundering claims.

A shooter opened fire Wednesday morning during Mass at a Minneapolis Catholic school, killing two children and injuring 17 other people before killing himself, officials said.

The shooting happened during Mass at Annunciation Catholic School. Monday had been the first day of classes.

Of the 17 injured, police said 14 were children. Two of those children were in critical condition.

The shooting comes as school years are starting across the U.S., and some universities have dealt with false alarms about school shootings. At least a dozen college campuses faced hoax active shooter calls — some featuring gunshots sounding in the background.

Here are some of the things to know about the shooting at Annunciation Catholic School.

What do we know about the victims?

The two children who were killed were 8 and 10 years old, officials said. Authorities have not released the identities of the victims, but said the children who were killed were fatally shot while they were in the church pews celebrating a Mass. It is unclear how many people were inside the church at the time.

What do we know about the shooter?

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said the shooter — armed with a rifle, shotgun and pistol — approached the side of the church and shot through the windows toward the children inside before killing himself in the parking lot.

He said the shooter was in his early 20s, did not have an extensive known criminal history and acted alone. He did not release more details.

A law enforcement official told The Associated Press authorities have identified the shooter as Robin Westman. That official was not authorized to discuss the ongoing investigation and spoke on condition of anonymity.

What do we know about the school?

Founded in 1923, the school had 391 students enrolled for the 2023-24 school year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Each grade level has two classes, with about 20 students in each class.

It’s located in the city’s Windom neighborhood, about 5 miles south of downtown Minneapolis.

The school’s website says teachers “focus on Christian values and civic-mindedness.”

President Trump’s comments

President Donald Trump said in a Truth Social post that he was briefed on the “tragic shooting” and that the White House would continue to monitor the situation.

“The FBI quickly responded and they are on the scene,” Trump said in a statement on social media.

“The White House will continue to monitor this terrible situation. Please join me in praying for everyone involved!”

A nearby shooting

A shooter killed one person and injured six others nearby Cristo Rey Jesuit High School on Tuesday afternoon, in what authorities believe was a targeted shooting.

Annunciation Catholic School is about 4 miles south of Cristo Rey, and officials do not believe the shootings are linked.

The police chief said Tuesday that a group of adults hanging out near the school were shot, and least one of them was targeted. There was no mention of anyone from the school being involved in the shooting.

__

Associated Press writer Alanna Durkin Richer in Washington has contributed to this report.

Related Articles

A shooting at a Minneapolis Catholic school kills 2 children, injures 17 people

One dead, 6 hurt after shooter opens fire with high-powered rifle in Minneapolis

Former Tartan band director sentenced for sexually assaulting DeLaSalle student

Last defendant pleads guilty in Feeding Our Future juror bribery attempt

State DFL strips Omar Fateh of Minneapolis DFL endorsement

By MATTHEW PERRONE, AP Health Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. regulators approved updated COVID-19 shots Wednesday but limited their use for many Americans — and removed one of the two vaccines available for young children.

The new shots from Pfizer, Moderna and Novavax are approved for all seniors. But the Food and Drug Administration narrowed their use for younger adults and children to those with at least one high-risk health condition, such as asthma or obesity. That presents new barriers to access for millions of Americans who’d have to prove their risk — and millions more who may want to get vaccinated and suddenly no longer qualify.

Additionally, Pfizer’s vaccine will no longer be available for any child underage 5, after the FDA said it was revoking the shot’s emergency authorization for that age group.

Parents will still be able to seek out shots from rival drugmaker Moderna, the other maker of mRNA vaccines, which has full FDA approval for children as young as 6 months. But the company’s Spikevax vaccine is only approved for children with at least one serious health problem.

The revamped vaccines target a newer version of the continuously evolving virus and are set to begin shipping immediately. But it could be days or weeks before many Americans know if they’ll be able to get one, with access dependent on various decisions by federal health advisers, private health insurers, pharmacies and state authorities.

The new restrictions — previewed by FDA officials in May — are a break from the previous U.S. policy, which recommended an annual COVID-19 shot for all Americans 6 months and up.

The approach reflects heightened skepticism about the ongoing risks of COVID-19 and the need for yearly booster shots from Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, who were both outspoken critics of wide-scale vaccinations.

“The American people demanded science, safety, and common sense. This framework delivers all three,” Kennedy wrote on social media.

Kenned said Novavax’s shot is only open to people 12 or older, not younger children – and under the same risk-based restrictions as are now in place for the Moderna and Pfizer options. It’s the nation’s only protein-based COVID-19 vaccine.

Some medical groups, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, have objected to the new limits, saying they may block vaccine access for families who want to protect their children. Last week, the group offered its own recommendations for kids, saying annual COVID shots are strongly recommended for children ages 6 months to 2 years and advised for older children.

That differs from the latest guidance under Kennedy, which doesn’t recommend the shots for healthy children of any age, but says kids may get the shots in consultation with physicians.

Many countries have scaled back COVID-19 vaccinations in recent years, and some U.S. experts say the change makes sense here, given that nearly all Americans have some protection from previous vaccination or infection.

But implementing the shift presents a number of logistical problems.

Insurers typically base their vaccine coverage decisions on the recommendations of a panel of advisers to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but some say they will also look to medical professional groups, including the American Medical Association.

Earlier this year, Kennedy dissolved the CDC panel and replaced its members with a number of doctors and researchers who have repeatedly questioned the safety of commonly used vaccines and ingredients. The panel is expected to meet in September, but no specific date has been set and no agenda released.

Depending on the panel’s advice, Americans underage 65 could be expected to provide documentation of a serious medical condition before they can get a shot. Complicating the rollout is the fact that pharmacists — who administer most COVID vaccines in the U.S. — typically aren’t expected to collect that kind of information. And laws governing their ability to administer routine vaccinations vary by state, where pharmacists are licensed.

Nearly half states limit vaccinations by pharmacists to those recommended by the CDC panel.

Access could also be complicated for healthy adults and children who are interested in getting a shot for extra protection.

Related Articles

FTC has long said products must back up health claims. A MAHA lawsuit would upend that

Two deaths among 20 Minnesota cases of West Nile virus this year

The national suicide hotline for LGBTQ+ youth went dead. States are scrambling to help

Health care groups aim to counter growing ‘national scandal’ of elder homelessness

Doctors want women to know the nuanced reality of hormone therapy for menopause

If the latest vaccines aren’t covered by their insurance, those patients could be required to pay $150 or more out of pocket if they want one. They might also have to find a doctor or other health professional willing to give the shot “off label,” or outside the use listed on the FDA label. Pharmacists may be reluctant to give vaccines off-label.

The updated shots from Pfizer, Moderna and Novavax target a coronavirus subtype named LP. 8.1, a recently dominant version of the virus that is closely related to some newly emerging cousins.

All three shots were initially made available under the FDA’s emergency use authorization, an expedited process to quickly review vaccines and other countermeasures during the pandemic.

Moderna received full FDA approval in July for children down to 6 months and says it should have enough supply to meet U.S. demand.

In addition to revoking emergency use of Pfizer’s vaccine, the FDA also pulled authorization for several other therapies from the pandemic years, including convalescent plasma, which was used to treat hospitalized COVID-19 patients before the first antiviral drugs became available.

COVID-19 vaccines do a good job preventing severe disease, hospitalization and death, which remain a bigger risk for seniors and people with underlying health factors, including heart disease, lung disease and cancer.

Preliminary data from the CDC estimates 47,500 Americans died from COVID-related causes last year. In at least two-thirds of those cases, COVID-19 was listed as the underlying cause of death. For the rest, COVID-19 was a contributing factor.

AP Medical Writer Lauran Neergaard contributed to this story.

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.