Korean Adoption | Media & Resources

On 3.26.2025 South Korea’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission issued a press release and held a press conference regarding their investigation into International Adoption.

The commission found that “the [South Korean] government had violated the fundamental human rights of adoptees by sending numerous children overseas without proper legislative frameworks, oversight, or adherence to administrative procedures. This failure resulted in the infringement of adoptees’ rights, which are protected under the [South Korean] Constitution and international conventions.”

“The Commission has determined that the long-standing intercountry adoption practices represent a failure of the government to uphold its responsibility to protect the fundamental human rights of its citizens.”The Commission recommended the following measures be implemented by the South Korean government to address past injustices and uphold the fundamental rights of adoptees:

• An official government apology
• Comprehensive survey on adoptees’ citizenship status and corresponding policy measures
• Remedies for victims whose identities were falsified
• Prompt ratification of the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Cooperation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption
• Commitment from adoption agencies to restores adoptee’s rights

Here at Children’s Home and LSS, we understand the history, complexity and emotions associated with this report by the South Korean government and want to acknowledge the weight and impact of these findings on adoptees, birth families, adoptive families, and their loved ones.

For Korean adult adoptees, we can provide what is legally allowed to be shared from your U.S. adoption record, which would include information provided by South Korean agencies at the time of adoption. This falls under our Document Request/File Review service. The $50 fee can be offset through our Adoption Support Fund grant program for those who are eligible, to prevent any financial barriers to accessing this information.

The oversight of South Korean adoption records is moving from the Korean adoption agencies to the National Center for the Rights of the Child (NCRC). To conduct a search that includes your South Korean adoption record, you will need to petition the NCRC for these services directly. At this time, we do not know how long it will take to access South Korean search services. There are additional avenues to pursue information including DNA search (resources below). We encourage individuals impacted to seek supportive services as needed (resources below).

The best interest of each child is at the center of our work. We want adoptees and families to know that we are here for them and want to be a place of support, resources, and consultation.

We want South Korean adoptees and their loved ones to be aware of changes coming to Post Adoption Services. In July 2025, the Korean government is expected to begin overseeing adoption and post adoption services directly, a responsibility previously held by Korean agencies such as Holt Korea, ESWS, KWS and KSS. It is our understanding that adoptees will be able to work directly with the National Center for the Rights of the Child (NCRC) for post adoption services. At this time, we do not yet know what the process will entail to access services via the NCRC, nor the exact date when they will start accepting service requests.

It is a time of transition now for Korean Post Adoption Services, wait times are challenging to predict. It is possible that Korean agencies will not be able to accommodate and complete requests in time before a transition to the NCRC. As a result, we have begun a wait list for Korean Post Adoption Services that involve coordination with a Korean agency (ex: South Korea Search & Connection, South Korea Openness Exchange). While you are on the wait list, you will complete the service agreement and be made aware of any applicable fees. Fees will be paid as services are able to be rendered. Our Adoption Support Fund remains available if fees are a barrier.

We are able to continue providing Korean adoptees with US File Reviews/Document Requests, Korean Search Consultations (includes File Review) and Travel Support that is at least 30 days from trip. Korean agencies have reported they are not likely to accommodate last minute requests or unannounced visits.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact our Post Adoption team.

• Post Adoption Support Services | [email protected] | 651.255.2371
• Adult Adoptee Support Group – CHLSS
• Parents of Adopted Adults Support Group – CHLSS
• Search and Reunion Support Group – CHLSS
• CH/LSS Online Adoptee Community | Facebook
• South Korea Post Adoption Services: Search & Connection, Document Requests, Openness Exchange, Travel Support and Tour Korea

Korean Resources:

• National Center for the Rights of the Child (South Korea)
• Korean Adoption Services

Other Resources:

• Therapist Search – Foster Adopt Minnesota
• KAAN
• 325KAMRA
• Adoptee Bridge
• Adoptee Hub
• International Korean Adoptee Services, Inc.
• Global Overseas Adoptees’ Link (G.O.A.L.)
• Side by Side Learning Resources 
• Adoptee Rights Law Center PLLC
• Alliance for Adoptee Citizenship