Summary
South Korea's president apologized for a foreign adoption program from the Korean War era that negatively impacted over 14,000 children. An investigation revealed the program used deceptive practices, leading the president to seek better protections for adoptees' rights. South Korea recently joined an international treaty to improve adoption practices.
Key Facts
- South Korea's president apologized for an adoption scheme from after the Korean War.
- The adoption program affected over 14,000 children, causing pain and confusion.
- A commission found the government used fraudulent practices in adoptions.
- President Lee Jae-myung urged the development of systems to protect adoptees.
- More than 140,000 children were adopted internationally between 1955 and 1999.
- Despite a decrease, international adoptions continue today, with around 100 children sent abroad each year.
- South Korea ratified The Hague Adoption Convention to improve international adoption practices.
- Former president Kim Dae-jung also apologized in 1998 but did not fully acknowledge state involvement in past malpractices.
