Korea moves to end overseas adoptions by 2029
The South Korean government plans to end overseas adoptions by 2029, transferring full responsibility for adoption from private agencies to the state. Officials say the move is intended to strengthen child protection and ensure that children’s rights are better respected.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare approved a five-year child welfare plan called the Third Basic Plan for Child Policy. The plan prioritizes domestic adoption and reflects President Lee Jae Myung’s view that Korea’s long history of overseas adoption represents a national failure.
Under the new system, the government will manage the entire adoption process, including placement decisions and post-adoption monitoring. Overseas adoptions will be allowed only in rare cases and handled directly through cooperation with foreign governments. Korea also ratified the Hague Convention to improve safeguards for international adoption.
The plan also reforms foster care by placing it fully under state management. Foster families will be legally recognized as a family category, and local governments will regularly evaluate foster homes, adoptive families and child care facilities. Support for reunification with biological families will also be expanded.
Beyond adoption, the policy increases social support for children and families. Child allowances will gradually expand, parental leave and child care services will improve, and undocumented migrant children will receive temporary residency to ensure access to education. Officials say the goal is to treat children as rights-holders and make the state responsible for their protection.
Source: https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10644273 |
