South Korea has acknowledged significant misconduct by adoption agencies, revealing that many children were misrepresented as orphans to facilitate international adoptions. An investigative commission identified human rights abuses in various cases and recommended a formal apology, compensation, and further inquiries. The exploitation of vulnerable children for profit led to fraudulent practices and challenges for adoptees in tracing their origins. In response, South Korea is shifting oversight of foreign adoptions to a government agency, while other countries reassess their adoption policies.
South Korea’s Acknowledgment of Adoption Agency Misconduct
For the first time, South Korea has openly recognized the significant errors made by adoption agencies over the decades. An investigative commission revealed that these agencies misrepresented countless children as orphans and falsified documents in a bid to maximize international adoptions.
Since the conclusion of the Korean War in 1953, South Korea has seen a staggering number of children adopted by foreign families—over 170,000, predominantly in the United States and Europe. The commission’s findings suggest that many of these children fell prey to a profit-driven exportation scheme orchestrated by private adoption agencies.
Human Rights Violations and Recommendations for Justice
After three years of thorough investigations, the parliamentary commission identified human rights abuses in 56 specific cases, focusing on 367 individuals adopted between 1964 and 1999. Their recommendations include a formal apology from the South Korean government to the victims, compensation for their suffering, and the initiation of further inquiries into the adoption practices.
In the aftermath of the Korean War, South Korea faced severe economic challenges, prompting the government to facilitate international adoptions to alleviate strain on the domestic welfare system. Unfortunately, private agencies exploited this situation, taking charge of orphan registration, adoptive parent selection, and all legal processes related to adoptions.
The commission’s report criticizes the government for failing to oversee these agencies effectively, allowing them to engage in fraudulent activities such as misregistering orphans and inadequately screening adoptive parents. To satisfy overseas demand, agencies reportedly designated a fixed number of children for adoption each month, setting fees independently and soliciting donations from adoptive families. This system transformed adoption into a profit-centric industry.
A striking image from an investigation report dating back to 1984 depicts infants strapped into airplane seats, with the commission remarking that they were treated “like luggage.” Disturbingly, there were instances where a lactose-intolerant child died during transit after being fed milk.
Compounding these issues, the agencies frequently circumvented necessary permissions for adoptions. In tragic cases, when a baby fell ill or died before being sent abroad, another child was reportedly substituted under the same name.
Due to the prevalence of falsified documents, many adoptees face challenges in tracing their biological families. “These violations should never have happened,” stated Park Sun Young, the commission’s chairwoman, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts to assist affected individuals in uncovering their origins.
In response to these revelations, South Korea has begun implementing stricter regulations surrounding international adoptions. Starting this summer, all foreign adoptions will transition to oversight by a government agency instead of private organizations. Although the South Korean government has yet to officially respond to the commission’s report, they have committed to a thorough review.
Meanwhile, other countries are also re-evaluating their international adoption policies. Switzerland has recognized the need for reforms, emphasizing that a child’s welfare must take precedence over the desires of adoptive parents. Legislative action is pending. China has imposed a ban on international adoptions in 2024, while the Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium, Norway, and France are considering similar measures to tighten their adoption laws.