South Korea has been exposed as a significant contributor to the global adoption market, with a long-standing history of inefficiency linked to child exportation practices. An extensive investigation revealed the government’s role in enabling private adoption agencies to manipulate birth records and neglect proper consent processes. Since the 1950s, over 200,000 Korean children have been sent abroad, many of whom now claim to have been coerced, with several alleging that they were forcefully taken from their mothers.
After a three-year investigation by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which examined the first 100 of 367 cases from 1964 to 1999, findings indicated that 56 had been victimised through governmental negligence, breaching both the Korean constitution and international laws. The report highlights a systemic failure, where local agencies partnered with foreign entities to facilitate mass adoptions driven by demand quotas, deploying unethical strategies including fabricated identity documents.
The commission’s report revealed a concerning disregard for the adoptees’ true identities, with many bearing false narratives about abandonment by their biological parents. It outlined that ignorance and poor oversight from the government resulted in these extensive violations of fundamental human rights.
Commission head Park Sun Young highlighted numerous deficiencies in legal frameworks, stating, “These violations should never have occurred.” The ongoing investigation, which started in 2022, calls for immediate government actions: an official apology, a survey of adoptees’ citizenship statuses, and reparative measures for those affected by falsified identities. It aims to redefine Korea’s legacy in the adoption sphere and grapple with its ethical responsibilities for the futures of its children.
South Korea’s investigation reveals gross human rights violations in its adoption system, where over 200,000 children were exported since the 1950s. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission found that local agencies often collaborated with foreign entities, leading to deceptive practices and a disregard for parental consent. The report stresses the need for governmental accountability and reparations for affected adoptees.
In summary, the investigation into South Korea’s adoption practices unearths grave human rights violations affecting adoptees, urging the government to acknowledge its failures. With findings indicating systemic negligence, the report calls for reparative measures and an official apology. It is a pivotal moment in recognising the suffering these children have endured, and the need for accountability moving forward.
Original Source: www.ndtv.com
