Structural failures in South Korea's adoption system leave international adoptees seeking accountability
Original framing: “South Korea’s international adoptees seek justice, not homecoming” — Al Jazeera
Birth parents, adoptees, and marginalized communities in South Korea have long called for legal recognition and reparations. Their voices are often excluded from policy discussions, which are dominated by international agencies and legal frameworks that prioritize efficiency over justice.
South Korea’s international adoption system is a product of post-war poverty, Cold War geopolitics, and Western legal norms that have failed to account for cultural continuity and long-term human rights.
The current crisis reflects a deeper structural failure to provide justice for those affected. By integrating indigenous perspectives, historical accountability, and cross-cultural insights, South Korea can move toward a more just and sustainable adoption policy. This requires not only legal reform but also cultural reconnection and community-based support. The voices of adoptees, birth families, and marginalized communities must be central to this transformation.