South Korea vows to end foreign adoptions as UN presses Seoul to address past abuses
Summary
South Korea plans to end foreign adoptions by 2029 amid UN concerns over past abuses involving falsified records and mistreatment of adoptees sent abroad. The government aims to improve child welfare and promote domestic adoption.
Key Points
- South Korea will phase out foreign adoptions by 2029, reducing the number to zero to strengthen child welfare and promote domestic adoption.
- UN investigators expressed serious concern over South Korea's failure to address past abuses and ensure reparations for adoptees harmed through falsified records and abuse.
- Past adoption programs involved widespread fraud and human rights violations, facilitated by private agencies and state policies, notably in the 1970s and 1980s.
- South Korea's government response highlights future reforms but has faced criticism for insufficient measures addressing victims' truth-finding, reparations, and accurate record restoration.
