South Korea Issues Formal Apology for Decades of Adoption Program Abuses
(October 2, 2025) – In a historic move, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has issued a formal apology for the systemic failures and abuses that plagued the nation’s foreign adoption programs for decades. This acknowledgement comes months after the country’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission definitively recognized state responsibility for these practices for the first time.
The apology, delivered via a Facebook post, expresses “heartfelt apology and words of comfort” to Korean adoptees abroad, as well as their adoptive and birth families. It marks a meaningful step towards addressing a painful chapter in South Korea’s history.
A History of Systemic Failures
For years, South Korea’s adoption system – especially prominent in the 1970s and 80s – operated with deeply flawed practices. Investigations and recent court rulings have revealed a pattern of human rights violations. The government, President Lee acknowledged, failed to adequately oversee and regulate these programs.
Specifically, issues included:
* Falsified Records: Many adoptees discovered their documentation was deliberately altered to falsely portray them as abandoned orphans.
* Coercive Removals: Children were ofen taken from their birth families under duress, or even illegally.
* Profit-Driven System: The system was, in many cases, driven by a desire to reduce national welfare costs, prioritizing expediency over the well-being of children and families.
these revelations have sparked growing international scrutiny and demands for accountability.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Findings
The landmark report released in March by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission detailed the extent of the government’s role in facilitating problematic adoption practices. The commission’s nearly three-year inquiry involved testimonies from 367 adoptees across Europe, the United States, and Australia.
Their findings align with a comprehensive 2024 Associated Press investigation, conducted in collaboration with Frontline (PBS). This investigation revealed a coordinated effort between South Korean governments, Western nations, and adoption agencies to facilitate the placement of approximately 200,000 Korean children overseas, often through questionable and unethical means.
Moving Forward: Ratification of the Hague Adoption Convention
South Korea’s commitment to reform is further demonstrated by its recent ratification of the Hague Adoption Convention in July. This international treaty aims to establish safeguards and ethical standards for intercountry adoptions.
The convention officially took effect in South Korea on Wednesday, signaling a renewed dedication to protecting the rights of children involved in international adoption.
What This Means for Adoptees and Families
President Lee emphasized his “heavy heart” when considering the “anxiety, pain, and confusion” experienced by korean adoptees sent abroad as children.He has directed officials to prioritize the following:
* Strengthened Protections: Developing systems to safeguard the human rights of adoptees.
* Support for Birth Parent Searches: Providing resources and assistance to adoptees seeking to connect with their birth families.
* Openness and Accountability: Ensuring greater transparency in adoption records and holding those responsible for past abuses accountable.
This apology and the subsequent actions represent a crucial step towards healing and reconciliation for the Korean adoption community.You, as an adoptee or a member of an affected family, deserve answers, support, and a commitment to preventing such injustices from happening again.
Published: October 02, 2025 12:13 pm IST
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