A recent investigation by South Korea’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission unveiled shocking human rights violations linked to the country’s adoption practices. Since the 1950s, over 200,000 South Korean children were sent abroad for adoption, a process marked by government fabricated birth records, false abandonment claims, and insufficient oversight.
Many adult adoptees, now scattered around the globe, allege they were subject to coercion and deception, with some taken forcibly from their mothers. The commission analysed the first 100 of 367 petitions submitted by adoptees and concluded that 56 of these individuals were victims of systemic negligence violating their rights.
Commissioner Lee Sang-hoon highlighted the role of private adoption agencies, which often lack governmental oversight and rely on donations. This reliance creates pressures that foster illegal adoption practices, increasing risks for vulnerable children. Evidence found includes manipulated records and inadequate parental consent processes, further eroding the integrity of adoption.
Instances of erroneous practices were evident, such as one mother who consented to adoption just a day post-birth without rigorous identity verification. The investigation, initiated in 2022, illustrated the far-reaching malpractice integrated into South Korea’s adoption system, termed a “mass exportation” of children.
The commission called for an official apology from the government, as well as measures to survey adoptees’ citizenship and to address the failed identities of victims. Adoptee Han Boon-young expressed hope in the findings, viewing them as a significant victory, despite frustrations regarding documentation issues that inhibited her recognition as a victim.
Concerns persist among adoptees like Marianne Ok Nielsen, who worry that many without sufficient documentation may remain unrecognised as victims, raising broader human rights issues. Although adoptions persist today, their frequency has declined since the 2010 overhaul of adoption laws aimed at mitigating previously rampant malpractice.
An investigation by South Korea’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission unveiled major human rights violations in adoption practices since the 1950s, with over 200,000 children adopted overseas amid systemic negligence. The initial 100 cases reviewed showed many adoptees suffered from coercion and malpractice. The commission recommended an official apology and measures to address these violations. Concerns remain for those unrecognised as victims due to lack of documentation. Adoptions have declined since law reforms began in 2010 to address these issues.
The investigation has shed light on the dark history of South Korea’s adoption practices, revealing widespread government negligence and violation of human rights. With over 200,000 children adopted internationally, many adoptees have faced coercion and deception in their adoption processes. The urgency for governmental accountability and systemic reform is now more pronounced than ever, highlighting the need for justice for those affected and the importance of safeguarding children’s rights in the future.
Original Source: edition.cnn.com
