The $30 million wall of names

Dozens of Korean adoptees from North America and Europe gathered recently at Omma Poom Park in Paju , South Korea, to attacch their names to a wall at a former U.S. military base, seeking connection with their birth families.

The event, which took place at the park named 'mother's embrace,' saw hundreds of ceramic nametags, each hand-painted by an artist, bearing the adoptee's name, birth year, and birthplace.

Colors on the tags indicate the decade of adoption, with red and sky blue dominating, representing the 1970s and 1980s when foreign adoptions peaked.

A white tag marks adoptees who died without ever reuniting with their birth families.

Who is the anonymous parent searching for Bora?

A laminated note left by an anonymous parent searching for a child named Bora fluttered among the tags .

The note is a poignant reminder of the many families separated by adoption, and the longing for connection that remains.

The event is a testament to the enduring power of family ties, even across decades and continents.

A 40-year journey to reconnect

The event marks a significant milestone in the journey of Korean adoptees to reconnect with their birth families.

For many, it is a chance to finally put a face to a name, and to learn more about their heritage.

The wall of names is a powerful symbol of the ongoing quest for roots and identity.

What's next for the adoptees?

The event is just the beginning of a long and complex journey for the adoptees.

Many will continue to search for their birth familiies, while others will begin to explore their Korean heritage.

The wall of names will remain a poignant reminder of the power of family ties, and the enduring quest for connection and identity.