What irregularities did South Korea’s truth commission find in adoptions?

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South Korea's Truth Commission Identified Numerous Irregularities in International Adoption Processes

A landmark investigation by South Korea's truth commission has concluded that the nation's international adoption system, which sent over 140,000 children abroad between 1955 and 1999, was marred by significant irregularities. These issues included fraudulent orphan registrations, tampering with children's identities, and insufficient vetting of prospective adoptive parents, leading to violations of the rights of South Korean children. The commission also highlighted the government's failure to regulate adoption fees, which transformed the practice into a profit-driven industry, and a lack of adherence to proper legal consent procedures for South Korean birth parents.
Fraudulent Orphan Registrations and Identity Tampering

The truth commission's findings detailed instances where orphan registrations were falsified, and children's identities were altered. These practices undermined the integrity of the adoption process and raised serious concerns about the legitimacy of the children being placed for international adoption. Such irregularities suggest a systemic breakdown in the tracking and verification of children designated for overseas placement.
Inadequate Vetting of Adoptive Parents

A significant concern raised by the investigation was the inadequate vetting of individuals and families seeking to adopt. This lack of thorough assessment meant that prospective adoptive parents may not have been sufficiently screened, potentially compromising the safety and well-being of the children placed in their care. The commission's report pointed to this as a critical failure in safeguarding the interests of the adopted children.
Government's Role in a Profit-Driven Industry

The investigation also placed blame on the government for its failure to regulate adoption fees, which effectively turned international adoption into a lucrative industry. This commercialisation of child welfare meant that financial gain often overshadowed the best interests of the child. The commission's findings underscored how the absence of oversight allowed private agencies to profit extensively from the adoption process.
Violation of Birth Parents' Rights

Furthermore, the truth commission found that proper legal consent procedures for South Korean birth parents were not consistently followed. This failure to obtain informed consent raises profound ethical and legal questions about the adoptions that took place. The report indicated that many children were placed for overseas adoption without the full and proper legal agreement of their biological mothers and fathers.

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What irregularities did South Korea’s truth commission find in adoptions?

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