Korean adoptee reunited with birth mother after 37 years

The search for his birth mother took a Minnesota man more than 6,000 miles away from home to Korea, where he was given up for adoption 37 years ago.

Jon Huston never imagined he'd find his way back to Korea.

"I was very nervous. I didn't know what was going to happen. It was the most nerve wrecking thing, to know if I would be accepted or rejected," said Huston.

Huston's birth father was an American soldier, who met his birth mother in Korea while stationed there. Het died in combat in Vietnam. Huston's birth mother couldn't raise him on her own so she gave him up for adoption when he was six years old.

Huston was adopted by an family in Buffalo, Minnesota. He said it was not until he was married and held her first child that he longed to meet his birth mother.

"I didn't want her to go to the grave thinking of her son," said Huston.

He searched unsuccessfully for ten years. Then in October, a Korean TV reality show asked Huston to share his story. He appeared on the show using a webcam from his home in Minnesota.

It took just a week for the show to find Huston's birth mom. 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS shared their reunion via webcam in November.

"I personally wanted her to see me, touch me, pinch me, to show her I'm real," said Huston. He said his nerves grew as he rode the bullet train last month to see her in person.

"Dec. 30, 1971, 37 years ago, I'm nervous, very nervous to see her," said Huston.

Once he saw his birth mother, all concerns were calmed. She cupped his face and would not let go of him. Huston found himself overcome with emotion as well.

"Tears of happiness, to finally find her and to tell her, reassure her, she did the right thing, " Huston said.

When the two stepped into her home, Huston found another surprise.

"She had a big picture hanging on the wall and it was me. For 37 years she hung on to these pictures," said Huston.

For Huston the bond happened instantly.

"She told my translator, 'did he just fall out of the sky, he's all of a sudden here?' , said Huston.

His birth mother spent days preparing food for him. She said there was nothing better than watching her son eat well.

"I'll remember it forever," said Huston.

For Huston's birth mother, the visit was bitter sweet.

link to video: http://kstp.com/article/stories/s768458....